11-year old Celina Cass was reported missing from her home in West Stewartstown, New Hampshire on July 26, 2011. Her body was found wrapped in a blanket six days later in the river about a half-mile from her home.
Her former stepfather, 52 year old Wendell Noyes, was arrested on June 20th of this year for her murder. Noyes did not enter a plea and there was no bail hearing. His defense attorney said she has concerns about his competency, saying that the same judge presiding over his arraignment found Noyes to be incompetent last fall. The murder case has subsequently been put on hold as an updated competency evaluation is pending.
Police say he killed 11-year-old Celina by submerging her body in the Connecticut River five years ago. His charge carries a possible life sentence. Investigators questioned him after the murder, but he was uncooperative. Days later, he checked himself into a mental hospital. Celina’s mother, Louisa Cass, has said she wants Noyes to “rot in hell,” and that she was upset it took so long for someone to be arrested.
“Finally after five years, we’re going to get justice,” Louisa Cass said. She said that Noyes had seemed like a loving and appropriate stepfather, but his behavior after Celina went missing made her begin to suspect him.
Jill and Dick take some time at the quiet end of the bar to learn more about Celina's life and why it was tragically cut short. A New Hampshire beer from Deciduous Brewing is shared!