ME: Conn. insurance VP found dead in road was stabbed

SIMSBURY, Conn. -- Authorities say a 54-year-old woman who was found lying in a road in the Hartford suburb of Simsbury had been stabbed and her death has been ruled a homicide.

CBS affiliate WFSB-TV reported Saturday that the chief medical examiner ruled Melissa Millan died from a stab wound to the chest. A driver found her on Iron Horse Boulevard on Thursday night. She was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Authorities at first did not know how Millan died. Police said she could have been out jogging but that they did not yet know what happened and are investigating.

Millan was a senior vice president at Mass Mutual. A spokesman said she was a tremendous leader and deeply caring and that she would be missed.

Millan was at first believed to be the victim of a hit-and-run, WFSB reported. Her body was found near trails popular with bikers and walkers, and friends said Millan was an avid runner and triathlete, reports the station.

A motorist at the scene told police that they believed she had fallen off a bicycle, but investigators said there was no evidence of a bike or skid marks, reports the station.

Investigators reportedly said no weapons were found. Sources told the station that police were searching the area Saturday to look for a weapon, but nothing was recovered. It's not clear whether she was randomly targeted, according to the station.

Millan's triathlete group held a vigil in her honor Sunday.

"She just made you feel like you were the most important person when she was talking to you and when she was thinking about you," friend Lynne Tapper told the station.

Anyone with information is asked to call Simsbury police detectives at 860-658-3145.