CASTLETON, VT – A retired dean from Vermont State University, Honoree Fleming, 77, was tragically found dead on a local trail in Castleton, Vermont. The wife of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ron Powers, Fleming was discovered with a fatal gunshot wound to the head, according to Vermont State Police.
Fleming, a respected figure in the academic community, served as the Dean of Education at Vermont State University’s Castleton Campus. Prior to her tenure at Castleton, she held faculty positions at Trinity College, Middlebury College, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her death has been ruled a homicide by the medical examiner.
The university community is mourning the loss of Fleming, who was described as a “beloved teacher.” In a statement, the university expressed its grief over the “unbelievable tragedy,” stating that Fleming’s absence would be deeply felt across the campus and the entire Vermont State University.
Fleming’s husband, Ron Powers, is a renowned journalist and author. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Powers shared his shock and grief, describing his wife as having a “sterling heart and soul.”
The suspect in the shooting remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. Vermont State Police are urging the public to review any home or business surveillance footage that could assist in tracking the suspect. The individual is described as a white male, approximately 5’10″, with short red hair, last seen wearing a dark-colored T-shirt and carrying a black backpack.
The Castleton campus was closed on Friday and a shelter-in-place order was issued due to the ongoing investigation. Vermont State Police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.