Kensington Avenue is closed while police continue a possible homicide investigation at Stanley Park Thursday. (Photo by Peter Currier)
WESTFIELD-Westfield Police officials and the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that a body was found in Stanley Park Thursday afternoon and that a homicide investigation is underway.
Police were unable to confirm if there were any suspects or leads. Westfield and State police detectives assigned to the Hampden County District Attorney’s office were on the scene according to DA spokesman James Leydon.
The victim has not yet been identified nor has it been confirmed if the victim is a male or female.
Most of Kensington Avenue was blocked off to vehicle traffic and a portion of the residential street was closed off to pedestrians who do not live there.
The blocked off section of Kensington Avenue runs parallel with an area of thick woods with the Stanley Park Rose Garden on the other side.
Stanley Park Director Robert McKean confirmed that a police investigation was taking place on Stanley Park property and directed all inquiries to the investigating officials.
An automated call from Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional Schools Superintendent Jennifer Willard was made at 8:41 p.m. Thursday acknowledging the death of a Southwick Regional School student. Willard mentioned some people may have seen social media posts regarding the passing of the student, but she did not offer any other information. Willard said school counselors would be available to STGRSD students.
There has been no confirmation that the body found was the Southwick student.
This is a developing story. The Westfield News will update information as it is received.
