Death of Academy Park teacher in Del. ruled homicide
WILMINGTON, DEL. » The death of beloved Academy Park High School teacher Susan Ledyard - whose body was discovered in the Brandywine River in July - has been officially ruled a homicide, authorities in Wilmington said Thursday.
The Delaware Division of Forensic Science announced the classification Thursday saying blunt force trauma and drowning were the causes of Susan
Ledyard’s death on July 23, 2019. Ledyard, 50, of Wilmington, was found dead on the banks of the Brandywine River in Wilmington.
Delaware State Police did not release any other information regarding their investigation into Ledyard’s death, but added that the case is still being actively investigated by the police’s homicide unit and troop 2 major crimes unit.
“The official classification does not change our investigation as our Homicide Unit along with our Major
Crimes Unit have been involved since the onset,” said Delaware State Police Public Information Officer M. Corp. Michael Austin when reached for comment Thursday. “This is common practice in any death investigation until ruled otherwise.”
Ledyard’s sister, Missy Morrissey, said the most recent public announcement of the investigation was not new information to her, but “still a shock.”
Police have been actively investigating what happened to Ledyard in the early morning hours of July 23 preceding her death. She reportedly left her home at approximately 3 a.m. and drove two minutes to a nearby street that abuts the Brandywine River. Police have said Ledyard was active after parking her car, but her whereabouts have been unclear.
Her body was discovered at 7:29 a.m. along the river at the Northeast Boulevard bridge, about three miles downriver from where her car was parked.
Ledyard’s family has been doing canvassing events in the greater Wilmington area to draw attention to her death and to elicit any information from the public.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Dan Grassi at 302-365-8441 or Det. Amy Lloyd at 302365-8411. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http:// www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com