REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - Delaware State Police are investigating a suspicious death after a man was found dead inside a parked SUV along Olive Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.
According to police, around 6:30 p.m. on June 24, officers with the Rehoboth Beach Police Department responded to the 40 block of Olive Avenue after someone reported a foul odor coming from a parked SUV. When officers arrived, they located a grey Mazda CX-5 with Virginia license plates parked legally on the street in front of a home.
When police inspected the car, they found a man dead inside. Police say the man’s body was partially covered, making it difficult to see him from outside the SUV.
Due to the suspicious circumstances, the Rehoboth Beach Police Department requested assistance from the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit, which has since taken over the case.
The victim’s body was turned over to the Division of Forensic Science, where an autopsy will be done to determine the cause and manner of death and to confirm his identity.
UPDATE:
The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has issued a Gold Alert for Vanessa Johnson, 53, of Virginia, who was last seen in Rehoboth Beach on the morning of June 23.
Detectives are attempting to locate Johnson in connection with an ongoing death investigation.
Johnson is described as a Black female, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing approximately 165 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a loose-fitting white top, pants and a white hair wrap.
Attempts to contact or locate Johnson have been unsuccessful, and police say there is concern for her safety and well-being.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact Detective D. Grassi with the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit at 302-365-8441. Tipsters may also contact Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-847-3333.
