Case Profiles #39
Deanna Pugh
On February 6th, 2007, 45-year-old Deanna Pugh had just dropped off one of her 11 grandchildren and had parked her car on the corner of Flatbush Avenue and Zion Street outside of Reyes Grocery in Hartford, Connecticut. Her 22-year-old daughter and another grandchild of hers, an 8-year-old girl, were in the car with her. She got out of her parked car to have a cigarette when she was shot once in the chest by the driver of a dark-colored Honda with the make between the years 1990-2000 that pulled up alongside her before driving off. Deanna’s daughter and two witnesses helped get Deanna into the back seat of her car. An ambulance met them on their way to the hospital, but she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Deanna was a mother to 4 children and a grandmother to 11, and she had a 12th on the way that she was thrilled about. She was a fantastic mother and grandmother and was known as “a gold star, she shined on everybody she touched.” Anyone with any information on the murder of Deanna Pugh is asked to please call Lieutenant Scott Sansom, commander of the major crimes division, at 860-527-6300, Ext. 5230. You can also call Detective Mark Fowler at 860-527-6300, Ext. 5439; or the department’s confidential tip hot line at 860-527-TIPS.
Nereida Melendez
On June 5th, 1989, Nereida “Nettie” Melendez was going to be graduating from North High in Worcester, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, she disappeared that morning. Her purse was found that same evening and the following day, her strangled body was found under a pile of leaves. Despite many theories and investigations, her murder remains unsolved after nearly 35 years. If you or anyone you know has any information on the murder of Nereida “Nettie” Melendez, please contact the Unresolved Homicide Unit at (508) 799-8651.
Image sources:
portal.ct.gov - “Connecticut Cold Case 5th Edition Cards”
telegram.com - “Voices for Nettie”