Police search for clues in death of McDonald's millionaire wife
NEW YORK -- Investigators continued Thursday to scour the 300-acre suburban New York City estate where the wife of a millionaire McDonald's franchise owner was found dead Monday.
Lois Colley, 83, died from blunt force trauma, authorities say. There were no signs of forced entry at her North Salem mansion, and the only item reported missing was a fire extinguisher. Police have not said if they believe the extinguisher was the weapon used to kill the wife of Eugene Colley, who amassed a fortune in a growing empire of more than 100 McDonald's franchises.
In the days since, state police have swarmed the couple's expansive estate, using police dogs and helicopters in their search for evidence.
"At this point in our investigation, we still do not know who is responsible for killing Mrs. Colley," said State Police Lieutenant Paul DeQuarto in a statement released Thursday. "We continue to aggressively investigate this terrible crime."
Trooper Melissa McMorris told 48 Hours' Crimesider that police have interviewed members of the Colley family, including Eugene.
"The family has been cooperative throughout the investigation," McMorris, a spokesperson for the state police, said Thursday. She added that no family members are currently suspected of involvement in Lois Colley's death.
As recently as Wednesday, police said they had no suspects at all in the case. But McMorris said Thursday that she could no longer confirm that there are no suspects. She would not say if there is a person of interest in the case.
"We keep searching for clues everywhere, not only on the property, but elsewhere, too," McMorris said.
Police said they looked into recent home invasions near North Salem, but a source told 48 Hours' Crimesider it was a routine step necessary in an investigation like this, and no connection between other crimes and Lois Colley's death has been established.
Violent crime is extremely uncommon in North Salem, an affluent town of about 5,000 about 60 miles from New York City. The last murder was about four years ago, when a murderer drove his victim to North Salem from New Jersey, and brought him to a heavily-wooded area in the town, where he was killed, reports the Journal-News.
New York State Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Colley's death.
Anyone with information is asked to call the New York State Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-866-313- tips (8477) or go to the NYS Crime Stoppers website.