A car linked to a missing Hartford woman was found engulfed in flames in Vermont, where she disappeared, and police now suspect foul play in the case.
Denise Hart, of Hartford, was last seen on the night of Jan. 25 when she left a friend’s home in Sudbury, Vermont. She was reported to have driven away in a 2001 Silver Pontiac Grand Am that she’d borrowed from an acquaintance, according to a news release from Vermont State Police.
Early on the morning of Monday, Jan. 26, Vermont State Police received a report of a car fire at the Cornwall Covered Bridge in Cornwall, Vermont. There they found the car Hart had been driving, consumed by fire, according to police.
At the time, however, Hart had not yet been reported missing. Authorities were not alerted to her disappearance until Jan. 31. Hart's mother, Dedre Robinson, said she contacted police when she didn't hear from her daughter.
"She's missing and nobody knows where she's at and nobody can tell me anything," said Robinson. "It's very difficult. I have her 3-year-old son, who keeps asking questions, and how do you answer the questions?"
A Silver Alert issued in early February said Hart, who is also known as "Tiffany" and “Chookie," was known to make regular trips from Hartford to Rutland, Vermont, but normally remains in touch with family. This time, however, Hart has not contacted her loved ones.
"I'm living a mother's worst nightmare, not knowing," Robinson said. "You always think, 'Not my kid, not my kid.' But yeah, this is my kid."
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Police searched a property in Sudbury, Vermont, on Feb. 11 and said there's a strong indication of foul play. Authorities have not elaborated on the connection between the property and Hart's disappearance or said what they believe may have happened.
"Denise deserves to be home. She needs to be home. Her son is missing her; we're missing her very much," said Hart's older sister, Shanell Robinson.
Detectives are following leads and ask anyone with information to call the Vermont State Police at 802-773-9101.
Police specifically want to hear from anyone who traveled in the area of the Swamp Road in Cornwall, Vermont on Monday, Jan. 26 between midnight and 2 a.m.
"If you know anything about my daughter, please contact the police," Dedre Robinson pleaded.
