Milton Eldredge. (Photo submitted by Karen Buchinsky)
BLANDFORD — Investigators confirmed on Wednesday the identity of the remains that were found in the Knittle Conservation on Sunday as that of Milton Eldredge.
Although the mystery of Eldredge, who went missing five years ago, has been somewhat solved, his longtime partner Karen Buchinsky said that she is not sure she feels closure now that he has been found.
“Some of his kids and I were saying we thought we knew but we wanted to know for sure. Then, when we knew for sure, we wanted to go back to not knowing,” said Buchinsky.
Massachusetts State Troopers assigned to the Russell State Police Barracks were called Nov. 17 to the area of the Knittle Conservation after a group of hunters discovered a human skull in the woods.
The remains were transported to the office of the Chief Medical Examiner for forensic testing and identification. After acquiring the dental records of missing persons in the area, investigators determined that the remains were of Eldredge.
Eldredge, who lived in Blandford, had reportedly gone missing from the area in June of 2014. He would have been 64 years old today. His longtime partner
Buchinsky said that she was disappointed with the initial police response when he first went missing in 2014. She said that it took multiple attempts before any police officer took her seriously.
“I would like people to know if they have a loved one go missing, unfortunately there is much work they have to do,” said Buchinsky.
Hampden County District Attorney Spokesperson James Leydon said that the investigation is ongoing. A cause of death had not reportedly been determined, and there is not believed to be a threat to the public.
