Human Remains Identified Following Investigation at Mansfield Hollow Lake
- csppio
- Nov 14
- 2 min read
On October 5, 2025, at approximately 2:38pm, personnel from Troop C responded to Mansfield Hollow Lake after the Mansfield Fire Department discovered human remains floating in the water. Fire personnel recovered the remains onto a department boat. The Eastern District Major Crime Squad (EDMC) was notified and assumed the investigation. DEEP, CSP K9 units, and the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) Dive Team also responded to assist. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) responded and transported the unidentified remains for further examination.
As part of a joint investigative follow-up, on October 21, 2025, EDMC Detectives and members of the ESU Dive Team returned to Mansfield Hollow Lake to conduct an expanded search. ESU divers recovered additional human remains as well as a submerged vehicle. The vehicle was removed from the lake and processed the following day by EDMC Detectives.
During the vehicle processing, Detectives located multiple items of evidentiary value including parking passes, a name tag, and a matching license plate linking the vehicle to a missing person case. The vehicle was identified as a 1996 Mazda B2300 pickup truck belonging to Robert Cavanaugh (DOB: 01/03/1953), who was reported missing on December 24, 2004. At the time he went missing, Cavanaugh was believed to have left behind a suicide note.
On November 13, 2025, the OCME notified EDMC that DNA obtained from the recovered remains positively matched Cavanaugh.
EDMC Detectives conducted an extensive and methodical investigation, which included:
Reviewing clothing labels and logos found with the remains to establish a likely time frame for when the individual had gone missing.
Working closely with an OCME anthropologist, who noted evidence of a prior shoulder surgery. Family members later confirmed that Cavanaugh had undergone such a procedure.
Coordinating with ESU divers and the Mansfield Fire Department to identify probable search areas within Mansfield Hollow Lake.
Recovering a submerged vehicle consistent with Cavanaugh’s missing truck, along with additional human remains and multiple identifying items, culminating in a conclusive DNA confirmation on November 13, 2025.
The Connecticut State Police extend their appreciation to all assisting agencies, including the Mansfield Fire Department, DEEP, K9 units, ESU Dive Team, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, for their cooperation and support throughout the investigation.
This case remains closed following the confirmed identification.
