New details have emerged in the investigation into the death of a missing Ontario County man, including the identification of a person of interest.
The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office said Emmanuel Richelieu, 37, of Farmington, was found dead inside a Geneva motel room after being reported missing, with investigators now treating the case as a suspicious death.
According to a media statement, Richelieu was reported missing around 11 p.m. April 17 after family members had not heard from him in two days. Authorities used phone location data to trace him to the Americas Best Value Inn on Route 5 and 20 in the Town of Geneva, where his phone was found on the property early the next morning.
A search involving deputies, drones, and a bloodhound led investigators to Room 118, where a K-9 alerted to the door. Deputies initially located a deceased male inside before securing a search warrant and confirming the victim as Richelieu. Officials said he suffered “significant trauma,” and an autopsy is pending at the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Investigators said the room was registered to Julius Ware IV, who has now been identified as a person of interest. Authorities are seeking to locate Ware and are asking him to contact law enforcement.
Anyone with information about the case or Ware’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office as the investigation continues.
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