Remains recovered in Mansfield match man who went missing in 2004

Mansfield Hollow Lake, where human remains were recovered in October, 2025
Mansfield Hollow Lake, where human remains were recovered in October, 2025 Photo credit CT State Police

DNA testing confirms that human remains recently recovered from Mansfield Hollow Lake are those of a man who was reported missing on Christmas Eve, 2004.

Robert Cavanaugh was 51 when he disappeared. State police say he is believed to have left a suicide note.

After the remains were discovered by the Mansfield Fire Dept. last month, state police divers also recovered a Mazda pickup truck registered to Cavanaugh, along with parking passes, a name tag and a license plate.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted the testing.

Featured Image Photo Credit: CT State Police