The death of a woman whose body was found down an embankment in Vermont has been ruled a homicide.
State police said preliminary autopsy results indicate that the manner of death was homicide. The cause of death is still pending.
Police had said previously that they considered the death suspicious.
The victim has been identified as 59-year-old Cindy Cook of Barre. Her family has been notified.
Detectives said her body was found in a secluded area off Brook Road in Middlesex around 6 p.m. Wednesday after a resident called about the discovery.
The last known contact anyone had with Cook was on July 3 when a family member spoke with her by phone.
Police said their investigation is in its early stages.
Cook's vehicle - a cream-colored 2009 MINI Cooper Clubman station wagon with the Vermont license plate GBH823 - has not been located. Anyone with information on the vehicle's whereabouts or who had contact with Cook on or after July 3 is asked to call Vermont State Police at 802-229-9191.
