Jury finds John Heath guilty for the murder of Elizabeth Gough-Heath. From the CTPost:
“The jury’s verdict was returned just over an hour after they re-heard a surreptitiously recorded interview in which Heath made denigrating comments to police about his wife’s fitness as a mother, as well as other statements that just didn’t ring true with the four women and eight men who determined his fate.”
In April 2010, Elizabeth’s remains were found when new home owners were renovating the property. Dental records on file since Elizabeth went missing in 1984 while she was divorcing her husband John, matched teeth found in a skull unearthed here.
Examination found that Elizabeth had been beaten to death. She was killed by at least four blows to her head with a “narrow, heavy” club-like weapon. Then she was wrapped in bedclothes and plastic bags before she was shoved head-first into the 3-feet deep, 18-inch square dry well.
Her remains were there undisturbed until discovery. Due to the dampness of the well there was not much hope of finding any biological materials that could be tested for DNA.
Dr. H. Wayne Carver, the chief state medical examiner who was in charge of Elizabeth’s autopsy did not have an easy job. Elizabeth’s remains covered 188 separate envelopes. Elizabeth’s maxilla — the upper jaw — had been traumatically amputated from the skull, the warrant stated. There also were four separate areas where her skull had been crushed. Two arm bones were broken, which is consistent with Elizabeth defending herself by putting her arms up. The position of the bones indicated that the body had been wrapped in the bedding and placed headfirst in the hole.
The prosecution did not rely on hard evidence but on a wealth of circumstantial evidence including John Heath’s own words.
Judge Robin Pavia scheduled sentencing for Dec. 3. Heath’s bond was increased to $2 million.