Homicide

On Saturday, April 12, 2025, at approximately 6:30 PM, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central in response to a death at a residence on Canaan Road in Hartland.

The deceased, an adult female was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy was performed on Monday, April 14, 2025. The deceased has been identified as 78-year-old Velma Withee of Hartland. The manner of death has been ruled homicide. The cause of death is not being released at this time. 

The circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation. There is no known threat to the public. There is no further information available at this time.

On April 19, 2025, at approximately 10:30 AM, the Maine State Police responded to 128 Boots and Saddle Road in Palermo for a welfare check. Upon arrival, Troopers discovered the body of a deceased male outside of the residence. Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit Central responded and determined the circumstances of the death to be suspicious.

The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy was conducted.

The individual has been identified as 56-year-old Robert Bruso of Palermo. The manner of death has been ruled homicide. The cause of death is not being released at this time. There is no known danger to the public.

Bruso owned a golden retriever named Lennie, who has not yet been located. Anyone with information about the location of Lennie, or who may have seen a golden retriever in the area of Route 3 near Boots and Saddle Road and/or Level Hill Road in Palermo, is asked to contact the Augusta Regional Communication Center at 207.624.7076

May 8th, 2025

On October 28, 2017, the body of 48-year-old Wayne Foss was discovered in his home in Whitneyville. The residence had been set on fire, but the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta was able to determine that Mr. Foss’s death was a homicide. The cause of death was sharp force injury and inhalation of combustible materials. Detectives from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North, Investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal, and later Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit Unsolved, spent years following every lead in the case.

In October 2023, a Washington County Grand Jury indicted three individuals in connection with Mr. Foss’s death. 35-year-old Justin Matthews of Robbinston was arrested in Saco. 29-year-old Basilio Liranzo of Bronx, New York who was already incarcerated at the Maine State Prison on unrelated charges, was also indicted. 27-year-old Leanza Boney of Bronx, New York, was arrested in New York City by Maine State Police Detectives and members of a U.S. Marshal’s Task Force.

Over the past several months, all three individuals pleaded guilty to charges related to Mr. Foss’s death. The final sentencing, for Justin Matthews, occurred on May 8, 2025. Matthews was sentenced on Felony Murder to 16 years all but 10 years suspended with 4 years’ probation. Liranzo was sentenced to Felony Murder and Arson for 16 years; Boney was sentenced on Conspiracy to Commit Murder and sentenced to 16 years all but 5 years suspended with 4 years’ probation.

This case highlights the continued commitment of the Maine State Police and the Attorney General’s Office to securing justice in homicide cases no matter how much time has passed.

Anyone with information related to this case, or any unsolved homicide or missing persons case, is encouraged to contact the Maine State Police.

Augusta: 207-624-7076 or 1-800-452-4664
Bangor: 207-973-3700 or 1-800-432-7381
Houlton: 207-532-5400 or 1-800-924-2261