Reward doubled in 2018 Colchester investigation of man found shot to death

Connecticut State Police said Thursday that an increased reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting death of a man in Colchester in 2018.

State police said the $50,000 in reward money is being offered in exchange for information on the death of 36-year-old James Stone Jr., who was found dead, with gunshot wounds, in his trailer, located on Stanavage Road, on May 18, 2018.

Stone Jr. was found slain in his trailer on the Golden Hill Paugusett Reservation, according to state police.

“The Stone family remains heartbroken over their son’s murder which has tremendously impacted the family along with the Colchester community,” state police said when the reward was first set at $25,000 in January 2022. “Any and all information about this murder is important and all investigative leads will be followed up on.”

Stone was a graduate of Bacon Academy, earned his Associate Degree at Three Rivers Community College, a member of St. Andrew Church in Colchester and was a tradesman, “working in a wide variety of carpentry fields,” his obituary said.

“He enjoyed fishing, snowboarding, tennis, scuba diving, bowling and swimming at Red Cedar Lake in Lebanon,” played drums, “loved music” and is “remembered fondly as a big kid at heart, kind, generous and always willing to lend a helping hand,” the obituary said.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact State Police by email at david.bennett@ct.gov or phone at 860-465-5456. All information will be kept confidential.