The discovery of a woman’s body in a large container on a river sandbar has led the Vermont State Police to launch a suspicious death investigation. The body was found in Troy, a small community located in Orleans County, Vermont, west of Newport and east of Jay Peak Ski Area, within the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
The woman was identified as Kayla Wright, a 29-year-old resident of Derby, Vermont, who was reported missing since February 2. Her body was discovered on a sandbar of the Missisquoi River at Missisquoi State Park on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, following a tip to the police about a potential human body in a container.
Wright’s remains were transported to Burlington’s Chief Medical Examiner’s Office where a post-mortem examination was conducted. The autopsy confirmed a gunshot wound to the head, prompting law enforcement to categorize her death as a homicide.
In light of these findings, a broad investigation was launched involving local and federal agencies. These included the Newport Police Department, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, and Homeland Security Investigations, all working in conjunction with the Vermont State Police. An integral part of this investigation included executing a search warrant at a residence in North Troy.
During the search, three individuals, Bryanna Rooney, Thomas Rooney, and Jakiy Tramaine-Corey Keith, were arrested on federal drug charges. Court documents revealed that all three had dealings with Kayla Wright prior to her death. They stand accused of conspiring to distribute and possess controlled substances, including cocaine. Their exact involvement in the case, however, remains unclear.
Despite the ongoing investigation, the Vermont State Police have assured the public that this appears to be an isolated incident, posing no immediate threat to community safety. They are urging anyone with information that may assist the investigation to step forward.
