Vermont State Police Arrest Man in Arlington Murder Case

ARLINGTON, Vt. — A Sunderland man was arrested on Wednesday in the murder of an 81-year-old Arlington woman in January.

State police said Timothy Butler, 31, was arrested at about 3 p.m. while in a vehicle at Arlington Recreation Park. Butler was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Shaftsbury barracks for processing.

The body of Helen Jones was found in her Buck Hill Road home on the night of Jan. 4.  A subsequent autopsy showed that she died from multiple stab wounds.

Police found evidence of a forced entry into home and investigations were looking at burglary as a possible connection to the crime.

This investigation, led by the Major Crime Unit, is ongoing as detectives continue to conduct interviews and gather evidence in this case. Following the arrest, detectives executed a search warrant at Butler's residence located on North Road in Sunderland.

"This case was solved because of the dedicated focus and tireless efforts of state police detectives, troopers, [State's Attorney] Erica Marthage and the Bennington County state's attorney's office," Public Safety Commissioner Thomas D. Anderson said.  "The Major Crime Unit was formed two years ago so that highly trained detectives are able to quickly and singularly focus on the most serious and horrific crimes committed in Vermont. The arrest in this case clearly shows the value of the Major Crime Unit in apprehending and bringing to justice those who prey on the most vulnerable Vermonters."

Butler was taken to Marble Valley Correctional Facility and is being held without bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, March 9, at 2 p.m. in Bennington County Superior Court's Criminal Division on charges of first-degree murder and burglary.  A press conference will be held at the courthouse immediately following arraignment.