GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The suspect in a Sheffield murder was to be arraigned in Great Barrington District Court on Tuesday. 

 

Cole Bushnell, 41, of Sheffield is being charged with one count of murder. 

 

According to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, an individual on Monday reported to the Connecticut State Police stating that there was a dead body at 546 Polikoff Road, Ashley Falls. The call was made about 1:34 p.m.

 

Connecticut State Police contacted the Sheffield Police Department and Sheffield officers located a body and, in turn, contacted the State Police Detective Unit at the DA's Office for a suspected homicide. 

 

The defendant was not at the scene when law enforcement arrived. Later that evening, at approximately 5:23 p.m., the defedant returned to the crime scene and was arrested by the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit. At this point, it is still unclear if the defendant returned to the scene to turn himself in or for other reasons, according to the DA's office.

 

The DA's Office did not identify the victim or how the victim was killed. Either Bushnell or the victim is apparently a parent in the Southern Berkshire Regional School District. 

 

An communication from Superintendent Brian Ricca sent at about 9 a.m. referred "a very unfortunate incident yesterday involving the parent of one of our students. There are serious allegations associated with this matter, and the district is fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities."

 

He said he wanted to reassure families that the individual and there were no "ongoing threats" to the school or community. He asked that the community refrain from speculation and said faculty and staff have been asked not to discuss or speculate the matter with students. 

 

Law enforcement agencies involved include the Sheffield Police Department, the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit, the Massachusetts State Police  Crime Scene Services Section, the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab, the Connecticut State Police, Sheffield Fire, and the Massachusetts State Police Troop B.