UPDATE: RNC saying little on ending homicide investigation

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is not providing specifics on why it is now ruling the death this July of 53-year-old Patricia Anne Rice as a sudden death after previously treating it as a homicide.

Deputy Chief Bill Janes told reporters this afternoon the decision to label Rice's passing as a sudden death is based on a volume of information compiled over the last 10 weeks.

He said in the case of a sudden death, the RNC does not publicly provide a specific cause of death.

Barring the availability of new information relating to Rice's death, the investigation has otherwise concluded, he said.

Rice's body was discovered in a field in Paradise on July 25 near a McDonald's location on Topsail Road. She had been reported missing the day before.

For more on this story, read Friday's edition of The Telegram.

•••

(earlier story)

The RNC announced this afternoon the death of Patricia Rice, whose remains were discovered in Paradise July 25, is no longer being treated as a homicide.

• 
• 

• View the gallery

The RNC says the case is now classified as a sudden death investigation.

A news release notes that, at the time of the discovery, there was reason to suspect death was suspicious, and a homicide investigation was commenced. The investigation failed to find support for a conclusion of homicide, and recent laboratory results provided by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner casts further doubt that this is a homicide.

The RNC Major Crime Unit is asking anyone with information in relation to the incident to contact the RNC at 729-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can provide information anonymously on the NL Crime Stoppers Website at www.nlcrimestoppers.com.