Staff Writers Shawn Magrath and Matthew White contributed to this report.

NORWICH – Investigation into the death of the man accused of stealing more than 20 guns from a local sporting goods store continues as State Police search for leads.

According to authorities, the New York State Police Troop C, with assistance of the Norwich City Police Department, discovered a body – identified as that of 29-year-old Christopher M. Gonzalez – in a wooded area on County Road 36, in the vicinity of Guinn Ridge Road in the Town of Norwich Friday afternoon.

Police said Monday morning that the cause and manner of death is yet to be determined by an autopsy, which is to be conducted by Dr. James Terzian at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton.

On Thursday, Jan. 9, the day before the body was discovered, New York State Police announced Gonzalez as a suspect wanted for questioning in relation to the two separate burglaries that occurred at Mayhood’s Sporting Goods on state Route 12 in the Town of Norwich between 9:52 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6 and 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Stolen items included 22 handguns, several long guns and multiple boxes of ammunition.

According to New York State Police Public Information Officer Riegal, “An accomplice has also been identified in connection with the case.” Riegal said, “Investigators wanted to be sure that Gonzalez had been located before charging a co-conspirator in the case.”

Police have identified 25-year-old Brandy Bousson – known to be Gonzalez’ girlfriend – as an accomplice in that burglary. Bousson was arrested Wednesday on charges of burglary in the third degree. She was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility in lieu of $250,000 cash bail.

“Obviously in the still photos obtained from the Mayhood’s surveillance footage, Bousson was not included,” Riegal said.

The investigation is ongoing and further details will be released as they are made available.