STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

CASE#: 20B103890

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Detective Trooper Zachary Gauthier

STATION: Westminster

CONTACT#: 802-722-4600

DATE/TIME: 08/21/2020 at 1548 hours

INCIDENT LOCATION: 75 Parker Hill Rd., Rockingham

INCIDENT: Death investigation, structure fire

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

The Vermont State Police is investigating an incident that occurred Friday afternoon, Aug. 21, 2020, involving a structure fire and subsequent death in the town of Rockingham.

Police were notified at 3:48 p.m. Friday of a fire in a barn at 75 Parker Hill Rd., and also received reports that a man possibly connected to the fire was armed inside a home adjacent to the barn. Troopers, first responders and firefighters responded to the scene. Troopers secured the scene, and a subsequent search of the home located a man deceased in a bedroom from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The man is identified as Jeffrey Burkert, 58, a resident of the home. His body will be taken to the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death. The incident is under investigation by detectives with the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

The barn was destroyed by the fire, which is under investigation by the Vermont State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit. Preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire is suspicious.

There is no indication of any threat to public safety. No other injuries were reported.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Vermont State Police in Westminster at 802-722-4600.