PATTERSON – A human skull believed to be that of a 53-year-old woman was found behind the Putnam Diner on Route 22 in Patterson by a hunter who contacted police.
Putnam County Sheriff Robert Langley said investigators and uniformed personnel responded and processed the human remains.
On October 20, 2017, Lealcria DeLima of Danbury, Connecticut was last seen by family after leaving her home and driving a red Honda which was located two weeks later unoccupied in the diner’s rear parking lot. At the time authorities said the vehicle had been parked at the restaurant for some time before employees notified police.
Steve Argiriou, proprietor of the diner, expressed sadness over the discovery. “I feel badly for the woman and her family but at least the family now has closure to her disappearance.”
Argiriou said when the woman disappeared in 2017 and her car was found on his property, he met the victim’s husband and her daughters when they visited the diner to retrace the woman’s steps. “They were lovely people. I felt so badly for them. May God rest her soul.”
Langley said Danbury Police were notified of the skeletal remains found and both agencies were involved in the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 845-225-4300 or Danbury Police at 203-797-4611. All calls will be kept confidential.
