Police: Missing Portland woman found dead in Middletown

MIDDLETOWN — A 75-year-old Portland woman who was reported missing in March was found dead Wednesday in the Connecticut River in Middletown, according to police.

Middletown police found Rosemarie Dean near the boat launch in the city, according to Middletown Police Lt. Brian Hubbs.

Portland Police Capt. Ron Milardo said Dean’s death does not appear to be suspicious.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine Dean’s cause of death, he added.

Dean was reported missing on March 17 after leaving Greystone Retirement Home, a residential care facility in Portland. She was transferred to the facility after being released from Middlesex Hospital. Dean was at the facility for about three hours before leaving the grounds, Milardo said.

Dean was found with her hospital bracelet on her wrist, Milardo said.

The search for Dean involved weeks of searching various areas with police dogs, following several tips and canvassing Dean’s neighbors and those who knew her.

“We followed every lead possible that came into our office,” Milardo said. “Unfortunately, she was located deceased.”

Portland First Selectman Ryan Curley / Contributed Photo Rosemarie Dean, 75, of Portland was found dead in the Connecticut River in Middletown on Wednesday. She had been missing since March 17.