LENOX, Mass. — Human remains recovered on Monday on Lenox Mountain have  been positively identified as Susan Lockwood of Richmond. 

 

Lockwood, 66, had been missing since Oct. 30, 2023. 

 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has positively identified the human remains found on Lenox Mountain as Susan Lockwood.

 

The search for Lockwood along the mountain trails had continued intermittently over the months after the first intensive surveys of the area shortly after her disappearance. Her car had been found on Reservoir Road near trails she was known to use. 

 

Recovery efforts began again over the weekend after a hiker found a hiking boot with "evidence of human remains" off one of the trails. According to the District Attorney's Office, the hiker stepped off the trail to retrieve his dog, which was sniffing something in the woods. When the hiker reached his dog, he observed a hiking boot with evidence of human remains inside. 

 

State Police set up a response station in Lenox on Saturday and gathered at the trailhead in Richmond. The searchers included troopers from the Lee barracks, the Detective Unit with the DA's office and the Special Emergency Response Team and Crime Services Section. Lenox Police and Fire have also assisted. 

 

The boot was recovered and turned it over to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Troopers noted that the hiking boot was found in the radius of the area they had conducted focused searches for Lockwood after she had gone missing.  

 

Due to the late time of day, and with darkness approaching, the team halted and resumed the search on Sunday with volunteers from the Berkshire Mountain Search and Rescue. They were unsuccessful in locating any evidence of human belongings or remains that day.

 

The search continued on Monday. A trooper and his K-9 partner were canvassing land near a cliff when the K-9 alerted, prompting the trooper to closely investigate the area. He located evidence of clothing and human remains at the bottom of the cliff. The trooper recovered a fully intact skull along with other human remains and personal items. 

 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner took custody of the items to process them and make an identification. The remains were identified on Wednesday as Lockwood's based on dental records.

 

The cause and manner of death is undetermined at this time; however, no foul play or suspicious acts are believed to have played a part in Lockwood's death, according to the DA's Office.

 

The District Attorney's Office has been in contact with Lockwood's husband. District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said he is grateful for the dedicated work of law enforcement and emergency response personnel. He sends his sincerest condolences to Lockwood's husband, family, and friends.