There are still many questions surrounding the death of 45-year-old Jennifer Antonier. Police found her body inside her burning home on Lilac Avenue early Saturday morning.
Antonier is described in her obituary as an “eternal optimist” and “talented artist.”
With the help of Connecticut State Police and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, Hamden Police are trying to figure out who is responsible for her untimely death.
“She did have injuries that were unrelated to the fire, physical injuries,” Hamden Police Chief Thomas Wydra said, explaining why his department is handling their investigation as a homicide.
Antonier’s Hamden home where police found her body on the second floor early Saturday morning is now boarded up.
“The person or people who are responsible for this may have set the fire, if arson is ruled, as a means to destroy evidence,” Wydra said.
A suspicious car fire in New Haven, near the East Haven line, is connected to this homicide investigation, Wydra said.
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“The car that was found burned in New Haven was registered to the victim from the incident that occurred on Lilac Avenue in Hamden,” he said.
Investigators are trying to piece together a timeline, especially of the final days and hours leading up to Antonier’s death.
“Following up leads, interviewing people, interviewing family members and friends, anybody she might have been associated with,” Wydra said.
NBC Connecticut interviewed Antonier for an unrelated burglary in her neighborhood back in May.
“Obviously, very, very tragic,” Wydra said, “and I know talking to some of the neighbors on Lilac Avenue, people are devastated to hear about how she died.”
The state’s medical examiner performed an autopsy Saturday, Wydra said. Police are waiting for the results which will determine the cause of death.
According to the obituary, a memorial service for Antonier will be held Tuesday morning in Fairfield.
