By WPRO News
Decomposed remains found in a Woonsocket home Monday are those of former Mayor Susan Menard, the Office of the State Medical Examiners confirmed Wednesday, while the identity of remains of a second individual have not yet been finalized.
The cause of death for both individuals has not yet been determined. Police said it appeared the bodies were in a state of advanced decomposition. It is not known when they were last seen alive.
A neighbor alerted police after detecting an odor from the home on Marian Lane. Employees from the Medical Examiner’s office wearing plastic hazmat suits were seen entering the home.
“I think everyone is still digesting this,” said current Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt. “It’s very tragic, and it’s hard to come to the realization that this is what we’re hearing.”
“We are currently putting bunting out in front of city hall. We have put the flags at half staff in her honor,” Baldelli-Hunt said.
After being elected to the school committee and city council, Menard served as Woonsocket’s mayor from 1995 to 2009.
