Following an investigation into the suspicious death of an elderly woman at a home on Columbia Street on May 1, the Norwich police have charged a man with a sex crime. (Photo by Tyler Murphy)

NORWICH – The Norwich Police Department concluded a months-long investigation into a suspicious death of an elderly woman this week and reported a convicted sex offender had taken advantage of the victim after she died from an apparent heart attack.

From the start of the investigation on May 1, police treated the death as suspicious after officers located a deceased 71-year-old woman inside a home at 12 Columbia Street in Norwich.

At the time, officers closed off the area around the home with emergency tape and remained on scene overnight and the next day. Police could be seen collecting evidence and searching the property. The New York State Police forensic investigations unit also responded, and an autopsy was conducted by the medical examiner.

On Wednesday, Norwich Police Chief Reuben Roach confirmed the arrest of a suspect and said the case was determined not to be a homicide. He said the investigation found the victim had died from a heart attack a few hours before the alleged crimes took place.

“This was a gruesome act, that will negatively affect the family members of the victim and all the officers involved forever,” said Chief Roach.