VermontBiz The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington on Friday, March 15, 2024, completed autopsies on the victims whose bodies were found Tuesday in Orleans.
The victims have been positively identified as Paula Broe, 61, and Steven Luisi, 65, both of whom resided at 22 Water St., Apartment B.
A final determination by the medical examiner on the cause and manner of the victims’ deaths is pending further examination.
This case remains an open and active investigation. Anyone with information that could assist detectives is asked to contact the Vermont State Police in Derby at 802-334-8881 or leave an anonymous tip online athttps://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
No additional information is available at this time.
***Update No. 2, 4:25 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2024***
The investigation into the apparent double homicide that occurred Tuesday in Orleans remains active and ongoing.
The Vermont State Police Crime Scene Search Team is processing the apartment house at 22 Water St. where the bodies were discovered. Detectives have been conducting follow-up investigation throughout the day Wednesday, March 13. The Victim Services Unit is providing assistance and support to the family members of the deceased.
Based on witness statements and preliminary evidence, the victims have been identified as the residents who lived in Apartment B at 22 Water Street, Paula Broe, 61, and Steven Luisi, 65. Autopsies are expected to take place Thursday, March 14, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington to confirm identities and also determine the cause and manner of their deaths.
Cirell Brown, 23, of Orleans, the suspect in the deaths who was found at the scene and taken into custody by the first arriving state trooper, was arraigned Wednesday on two counts of second-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered jailed without bail. The court also ordered him to undergo an inpatient psychiatric evaluation.
Additional details about this case are available in the affidavit of probable cause, which is filed with the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Newport.
The Vermont State Police will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
***Update No. 1, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2024***
The Vermont State Police arrested a suspect in connection with two suspicious deaths discovered Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in the village of Orleans.
Cirell Brown, 23, of Orleans is facing two counts of second-degree murder. He was held without bail pending arraignment, scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Newport.
The investigation into this incident is continuing, and VSP will release additional information as it becomes available. The affidavit of probable cause will be filed with the court and made public following Brown’s arraignment. Members of the media should contact the Criminal Court Clerk’s Office to confirm details of the hearing.
***Initial news release, 6:55 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2024***
The Vermont State Police is investigating the suspicious deaths of two people whose bodies were found Tuesday evening, March 12, 2024, in the Northeast Kingdom village of Orleans.
The incident was reported at about 5:05 p.m. Tuesday at a home on Water Street. First responders discovered the bodies of a man and a woman at the residence. Police have detained one person in connection with the ongoing investigation.
The scene has been secured and will be processed for evidence. The bodies of the victims will be brought to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for autopsies to determine the cause and manner of their deaths. The victims’ names are being withheld pending further investigation and notification of relatives.
VSP’s investigation into this incident is in its initial stages and involves members of the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Field Force Division, Crime Scene Search Team and Victim Services Unit. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Department is providing assistance.
Anyone with information that could assist the state police with this investigation should call the Derby Barracks at 802-334-8881 or submit an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
No further information is currently available. VSP will provide updates as the case progresses.
