Human remains pulled from Mansfield Hollow Lake in October have been confirmed by DNA as Robert Cavanaugh, who vanished on Dec. 24, 2004. The remains were recovered from a submerged 1996 Mazda B2300 and matched to Cavanaugh on Nov. 13. His daughter said he struggled with mental illness in later years and thanked investigators for their work. A private funeral is planned; mental-health resources are available at 988.
Man Missing Since Christmas Eve 2004 Identified After Remains Recovered in Connecticut Lake
Human remains pulled from Mansfield Hollow Lake in October have been confirmed by DNA as Robert Cavanaugh, who vanished on Dec. 24, 2004. The remains were recovered from a submerged 1996 Mazda B2300 and matched to Cavanaugh on Nov. 13. His daughter said he struggled with mental illness in later years and thanked investigators for their work. A private funeral is planned; mental-health resources are available at 988.
07:51 AM, 11/20/2025Society
Human remains recovered from Mansfield Hollow Lake this October have been positively identified as Robert Cavanaugh, a Connecticut man who was reported missing on Dec. 24, 2004. State police say DNA testing confirmed the match after remains were recovered from a submerged vehicle.
Troopers responded to the lake just after 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 after the Mansfield Fire Department discovered remains floating in the water. An expanded search followed, and Emergency Services Unit divers recovered additional remains from a submerged 1996 Mazda B2300 that was lifted from the lake the next day. Investigators later determined the pickup belonged to Cavanaugh.
On Nov. 13 the medical examiner's office notified the Eastern District Major Crime Squad that DNA from remains recovered in the vehicle had been positively matched to Cavanaugh. Officers also reported finding multiple identifying items inside the truck.
Robert Cavanaugh was 51 when he disappeared. His daughter, Diana Cavanagh, said he had worked as a long-haul trucker and later for the Connecticut Department of Correction, and had long hoped to pursue a career in law enforcement.
"He definitely struggled with mental illness toward the end," Diana said. "It's been an important part of my family's journey to be open about mental health and how important it is to have help and resources to deal with it."
Police have said Cavanaugh was believed to have left a suicide note when he disappeared in 2004. Diana praised state police and the medical examiner's office for their work on the case, calling their handling "phenomenal." Funeral arrangements will be private.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, or substance use problems, help is available 24/7: call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.