Mystery Surrounds Death Of Woodstock Woman

Few Details Released About How Woman Died

Video: Residents Look For Answers About Woman's Death

WOODSTOCK, N.H. -- Bernardine Hart, of North Woodstock, died nearly three weeks ago, and residents of the quiet town are wondering why officials haven't explained how or why she passed away.

There have been no arrests in the case, and police said there is no threat to the community, but residents said they have still have more questions and answers.

"Everybody wants to know what's going on, what's happened, why this untimely death of a 61-year-old woman who seemed to be in perfect health otherwise," said Cathy Benoit, who works in Woodstock. "And we're all just in the dark about it."
A death notice on a funeral home Web site indicates that Hart died on Sept. 5 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Other than that, little information is availanle.

"We heard she died, and that's about it," said Cindy Ham, who works in Woodstock.

Investigators said that hart received a "traumatic injury" in early August and was admitted to Dartmouth Hitchcock on Aug. 13. Police are trying to determine whether that injury caused her death in September and have called her death suspicious, but it is nt considered a homicide.

The Grafton County Attorney released a statement that said investigators will "keep any additional information in the hands of law enforcement in order to preserve the integrity of the case."

For now, people in Woodstock will have to wait to learn more about the case.

"I would say that we're a small community here," Benoit said. "There's less than 1,000 people in this town, and I think that everyone shows great concern."

Police said it could take up to five more weeks to get autopsy results back.

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