Former Rhode Island mayor’s remains found in her home along with another body

One of two bodies found “in a lengthy state of decomposition” in the home of former Rhode Island mayor Susan Menard this week has been confirmed to be hers, health officials in Rhode Island have confirmed.

According to NBC News, a neighbor called police late afternoon on Monday saying he hadn’t his neighbors who lived in the residence on Marian Lane in Woonsocket in for nearly a week and also noted that a suspicious smell was coming from the residence, Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas Oates confirmed.

Officers arrived at the home to do a welfare check, but ended up having to force their way in. Once they gained entry, they found two people deceased, one male and one female. 

Oates said due to how far along the decomposition process they were, a positive identification would not be possible.

The bodies are now with the medical examiner for identification, as well as to as ascertain the cause of death.

“There’s no outward signs of any foul play or any type of a struggle,” Oates said. “We’re aware that both of these individuals, if they’re who we think they are, had medical issues that were pretty significant.”

Woonsocket resident Lorraine Tessier raised concerns about why it took so long for authorities to find the couple.

“I haven’t seen them in a while because my sister usually walks this all the time and on occasion, I’d walk with her around the neighborhood and I haven’t seen them in a while,” Tessier said to NBC affiliate WJAR of Providence. “Didn’t anybody check on them? Grandchildren? Son? What happened?”

Menard was 74-years-old at the time of her passing and had been honored as the longest serving female mayor Woonsocket’s history. Menard remained in office for 7 consecutive terms, over a period of 14 years.

Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, the current mayor of Woonsocket, paid tribute to Menard and her legacy.

“On behalf of our City, I offer our deepest condolences to her family and friends, and I want them to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers,” Baldelli-Hunt said.

She continued, “Mayor Menard has left an enduring legacy in Woonsocket through her many years of public service, and she will also be remembered for her pioneering achievements in advancing the role of women in Rhode Island municipal politics being only the second elected female mayor in the history of the state.”