Homicide of Leah Ulbrich - October 1995 - Hartford/Wethersfield

On Sunday, October 29, 1995, at approximately 4:49 a.m., Hartford Police received 911 calls about a woman being dragged by a motor vehicle from Locust Street west on Elliott Street toward Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford.

The caller described the car as similar to a 1995 or recent year Nissan Maxima or similar make. Another caller, using a fire emergency telephone at the corner of Elliott Street and Wethersfield Avenue, observed the female being dragged by the car south on Wethersfield Avenue toward the Town of Wethersfield. The female caller was never identified.

Just prior to the 911 calls, a Hartford Police Officer patrolling north on Wethersfield Avenue near Elliott Street in a marked cruiser observed a small dark color car enter Wethersfield Avenue from Elliot Street and travel south with no headlights on. The officer observed something unidentifiable being dragged from the passenger side of the vehicle. The officer pursued the car without success. The officer followed a discernable trail of liquid left on the pavement to the area of Jordan Lane near Ridge Road in Wethersfield.

The officer located the victim, with extensive injuries, lying against the northern curb of Jordan Lane. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by responding Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). An autopsy performed at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington determined the cause of death as extensive blunt trauma and certified the manner of death as a homicide. The victim was identified as Leah Ulbrich, age 24, of Hartford and New Britain.

Since October 29, 1995, the Hartford Police Department and the Wethersfield Police Department have conducted an intensive investigation into the murder of Leah Ulbrich. Numerous extensive interviews have been conducted and forensic evidence analyzed.

In November 2001, a joint investigation was initiated between the Hartford Police Department, the Wethersfield Police Department and the Cold Case Unit of the Office of the Chief State's Attorney.

At the request of James E. Thomas, then the State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford, the Governor authorized a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Leah Ulbrich. The Division of Criminal Justice maintains a Tip Line to take information on this case. The number is 860-548-0606.

Homicide of Thera Wilson, also known as Theresa Wilson and Mona Williams - January 1997 - Hartford

On Friday, January 14, 1977, the body of Therea Wilson , age 26, was found in the garage of the then-Statler Hilton Hotel at 10 Ford Street in Hartford.

The victim, also known as Thera Wilson , Theresa Wilson and Mona Williams, had been stabbed to death. At the time of her death, the victim had been engaged in prostitution.

In 1977 numerous leads were pursued by the Hartford Police Department , all with negative results. In April of 1977, Governor Ella Grasso authorized a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Ms. Williams death. The reward was increased to $50,000 in November 2006 by Governor M. Jodi Rell at the request of James E. Thomas, then State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford.

In March of 2006, at the request of the Hartford Police Department, the case was re-opened with the assistance of the Cold Case Unit of the Office of the Chief State's Attorney.

Anyone with information is requested to call the tip line at the Office of the Chief State's Attorney at 860-548-0606, toll-free at 1-866-623-8058 or e-mail the Cold Case Unit of the Chief State's Attorney's Office by following this link. All calls and e-mails will be kept confidential.

Homicide of Edward Bell, Jr. - Hartford - May 6, 2005

On May 6, 2005, at approximately 11:20 p.m., Hartford Police responded to the area of110 George Street on reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located the victim, Edward “Little Man” Bell, Jr. , and physical evidence.

Hartford Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel transported the victim to Hartford Hospital. Mr. Bell, age 34, was pronounced dead at the hospital as a result of gunshot wounds.

On March 27, 2008, Governor M. Jodi Rell authorized a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime.

The case is being investigated jointly by the Hartford Police Department and the Cold Case Unit of the Chief State's Attorney's Office.

Homicide of Sara Palenza - Hartford - February 23, 2006

Governor M. Jodi Rell authorized a $50,000 reward in January 2009 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible in the 2006 shooting death of Sara Palenza in Hartford. The 19-year-old victim, a resident of East Hartford, was a front-seat passenger in a vehicle that was fired upon as it traveled along Albany Avenue in Hartford just after midnight on February 23, 2006.

Gail P. Hardy, State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford, informed the Governor that leads in the case had deteriorated. State's Attorney Hardy requested the reward because she and police believe it may generate new leads.

"I sincerely hope that by issuing this reward it may prompt someone to come forward with information that will help police bring this case to a conclusion," Governor Rell said. "I urge anyone with information to come forward and help bring a sense of closure to the family of Ms. Palenza, who has waited nearly three years for justice."

Hit-and-Run Accident - Hartford - May 30, 2008

Seventy-eight-year-old Angel Arce Torres was struck by two automobiles while attempting to cross Park Street in Hartford at 5:49 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2008. Mr. Torres passed away from his injuries on May 11, 2009.

Video captured by a nearby surveillance camera shows Mr. Torres apparently being "clipped" by the first car and then being struck by the second car, falling first on the vehicle's roof and then onto the street.

One individual has been convicted in connection with the incident.

In order to assist the investigation, Governor M. Jodi Rell authorized a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Anyone with information about the driver or drivers, should contact the Hartford Police Department.