WILMINGTON, DE – Delaware State Police have renewed their call for information in the 2019 homicide of Susan Ledyard, announcing a $50,000 reward for tips leading to an arrest as detectives continue to piece together her final hours.
The investigation began Tuesday, July 23, when Ledyard’s body was recovered from the Brandywine River near Northeast Boulevard at approximately 7:39 a.m. She was 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighed 130 pounds, had shoulder-length brown hair, and was wearing a purple tank top. A post-mortem examination by the Division of Forensic Science determined her cause of death to be blunt force trauma and drowning, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Timeline of events outlines key gaps
Detectives say Ledyard was active on her cell phone throughout the night, calling and texting friends until about 2:45 a.m. At 3:02 a.m., surveillance video captured her black 2016 Honda Civic leaving her driveway. The vehicle was later found parked on Walkers Mill Road near the Rising Sun Lane Bridge, which crosses over the Brandywine River.
Investigators believe the car was driven directly from her residence to that location based on the elapsed time. However, Ledyard’s movements between 3:02 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. remain unknown, and detectives have not determined why she left her home.
Data from her Fitbit indicated she was alive until approximately 7:00 a.m. Her body was discovered less than 40 minutes later. At 8:54 a.m., investigators located her vehicle about three miles upstream from where she was found. Based on the river’s course and the timeline, detectives do not believe that location is where she entered the water.
Family urges public to come forward
The Morrissey family, including Ledyard’s parents and siblings, continues to work with investigators and is urging anyone with information to come forward. “We miss Susan every day,” said the Morrissey Family. “We are desperate to get justice for her. We need everyone to help us spread the word about her case to generate tips.”
In partnership with Delaware Crime Stoppers, the family is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Daniel Grassi at 302-365-8441 or by email at daniel.grassi@delaware.gov. Tips can also be submitted through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.
Support services are available through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and the Delaware Victim Center, which operate a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1.
