Biddeford police have ruled out homicide in the deaths of a man and a woman whose bodies were found Tuesday in a motel room, and say the young couple likely overdosed on drugs.
Police Chief Roger Beaupre, citing a text message from the state Medical Examiner’s Office, said Wednesday that the medical examiner found no evidence of injury to either body. Beaupre said investigators also found no evidence of injuries.
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“They say they are leaning toward a drug overdose, pending the results of a toxicology exam,” Beaupre said.
He said the exam could take weeks or even months to complete.
Biddeford police identified the victims as Daniel Pelletier, 28, and Lynda Norton, 31, both of Biddeford. The pair had rented a room at the Sleepy Hollow Motel at 297 Elm St. for about a week.
Pelletier had a criminal record and was well known to police, Beaupre said.
Police said the couple were not married but did not elaborate on the nature of their relationship.
Biddeford police said the motel manager went to the room around 5:38 p.m. Tuesday to collect the rent the couple owed. He found the bodies when he entered the room, then left the room and called police.
Police said it appeared that Norton died before Pelletier.
Drug paraphernalia including needles were found in the room, according to police.
Beaupre was not certain which drug the couple may have taken, but said it might have been heroin. The toxicology tests should determine the drug.
“We’ve responded to several heroin overdoses in the past month, including four or five in one day,” Beaupre said.
– Staff Writers David Hench and Dennis Hoey contributed to this story
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