The District Attorney’s Office in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, following months of suspense, has confirmed that the human remains discovered on Lenox Mountain belong to Susan Lockwood, a 66-year-old retired nurse who disappeared in October 2023.

Lockwood, a resident of Richmond, Massachusetts, was reported missing on October 30, 2023. Her disappearance triggered an extensive search by local and state law enforcement. Despite the use of infrared cameras, drones, and the State Police Air Wing unit, the case saw a significant development only in February.

Her vehicle was found on Reservoir Road near the hiking trails she often visited, suggesting she had been there before her disappearance.

On February 9, 2024, an off-trail hiker, guided by their dog, found a hiking boot with human remains on Lenox Mountain. The dog had detected a scent that led them to the boot.

This discovery prompted the Massachusetts State Police to enhance their search efforts in an area that had been extensively searched before in hopes of finding the missing woman.

Further searches conducted by the State Police Special Emergency Response Team on February 11 and 12 uncovered additional evidence, including clothing and more human remains, at the base of a cliff.

Among the items found was a complete skull. All the evidence was sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for analysis. By February 14, dental records conclusively confirmed the remains as those of Susan Lockwood.

The investigation into the cause and manner of Lockwood’s death continues, with authorities not suspecting foul play. The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office has been updating Lockwood’s husband on the progress of the case.

Lockwood, known for her love of hiking in the area around Reservoir Road and Lenox Mountain, had been grappling with anxiety prior to her disappearance, according to her husband, Dan Davison. “She was on a month-long waiting list for treatment at Berkshire Medical Center,” he shared.

District Attorney Timothy Shugrue thanked the law enforcement and emergency response teams for their relentless efforts in the search. He also extended his deepest condolences to Lockwood’s husband, family, and friends, acknowledging the difficult closure brought about by the identification of her remains.