River Village Man Charged with Murder

Location: Residence located in the 27000 block of Barkantine Drive, Millsboro, DE

 

Date of Occurrence:   Wednesday, November 02, 2011 at 2:48 p.m.

 

 

Victim: Dorothy L. Gudger, 70, Millsboro, DE

 

Defendant, Charges, and Arraignment Information:

 

-Michael D. Purnell, 43, Millsboro, DE

 

-Murder 1^st Degree

-Rape 1^st Degree

-Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony (2 counts)

-Burglary 1^st Degree

 

Resume:

Millsboro, DE- Delaware State Police Homicide detectives have arrested a 43 year old Millsboro, DE man and charged him in connection with the murder of a 70 year old woman.

 

The investigation into the incident began at approximately 2:48 p.m. on Wednesday, November 3, after troopers were told to respond to a residence located in the 27000 block of Barkantine Drive in the River Village development in Millsboro, to check on the welfare of the 70 year old female resident. After being unable to make contact with the resident, troopers made entry into the home and located the woman on the floor deceased. It was initially believed that troopers had made the initial entrance into the home; however, further investigation revealed that concerned neighbors had originally entered the home and discovered the victim. It was then that they called the 9-1-1 call center.

 

Through further investigation detectives learned that the defendant, Michael D. Purnell, 43, of the 27000 block of Merchantman Drive, in River Village, had recently been seen doing odd jobs for the victim at her residence. Detectives also learned that Purnell was a registered Tier II sex offender.

 

Detectives responded to Michael Purnell’s residence and took him into custody without incident at approximately 7:30 p.m. He was then transported to Delaware State Police Troop 4. After further investigation, it was learned that the victim has been deceased since the evening of October 31, 2011.

 

Detectives obtained a warrant charging Michael Purnell with the above listed crimes. He was arraigned at JP Court 3 and is currently being held without bail at the Sussex County Correctional Institution.

 

Detectives are awaiting the results of an autopsy by the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office which will determine the manner and cause of the victim’s death.