STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
CASE#: 23B1007566
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Detective Trooper Brandon Groh
STATION: Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations Troop B East – Westminster
CONTACT#: 802-722-4600
DATE/TIME: 1:45 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023
INCIDENT LOCATION: Southern State Correctional Facility, Springfield, Vermont
INCIDENT TYPE: Death investigation
VICTIM: Dennis Mayotte
AGE: 37
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: North Springfield, Vermont
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
The Vermont State Police is investigating the death of Dennis Mayotte, 37, of North Springfield, Vermont, who had been incarcerated at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield.
The Department of Corrections notified the Vermont State Police at about 1:45 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, that Mayotte had died in an apparent suicide inside the facility. Department of Corrections staff attempted life-saving measures while emergency medical services responded to the facility. Arriving first responders pronounced Mayotte deceased at the scene. An autopsy will be performed at the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington to determine the cause and manner of death.
Per standard protocol for deaths involving inmates, a detective from the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations was assigned to the case and responded to the prison to begin an investigation. The death does not appear to be suspicious.
On Monday morning, the DOC added that on Sunday afternoon, November 5th, staff performed a cell check and discovered Mayotte was not breathing. Department and medical staff immediately began life-saving measures and called for emergency medical services (EMS). Life-saving efforts, including CPR and the use of an Automatic External Defibrillator, were unsuccessful. Emergency Medical Technicians pronounced him dead at approximately 13:10.
Per Department protocol, the Department is conducting internal administrative and medical reviews following this critical incident. The official cause of death will be determined by the Vermont State Medical Examiner.
The Department notified Vermont State Police and the Defender General’s Prisoners’ Rights Office of the death per state law and protocol. These entities will conduct separate investigations into the death in conjunction with Department administrative and medical reviews. The Department’s Peer Support Team is available for SSCF staff.
Mayotte had been in custody since his arrest Oct. 26, 2023, by Brattleboro police on charges of Arson – 1st Degree, Unlawful Trespass – Land, Unlawful Mischief > $250, and Reckless Endangerment. He was ordered held without bail. He has had intermittent contact with the Department dating back to 2006.
He is the 11th inmate to die in Vermont so far in 2023.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Vermont State Police will provide updates when possible. Further questions should be directed to the Department of Corrections.