Police have upgraded the investigation into the suspicious death of Hunter Degroat to a homicide

Press Release

State Police have upgraded the investigation into the suspicious death of Hunter Degroat to a homicide. 

The death certificate, issued by Dr. Michael Sikirica, lists the cause of Hunter's death as skull fracture, subdural hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral cortical contusions, and cerebral edema due to blunt force trauma and qualifies the manner of death as homicide.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the State Police at 518-457-6811 or via email at Crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.

Original posted August 10, 2022

On August 9, 2022, State Police of Fonda responded to a home in Johnstown for the report of an unresponsive seven-year-old.

On August 9, 2022, at about 3:23 p.m., Troopers located seven-year-old Hunter Degroat unresponsive in his Johnstown home. All life-saving measures were unsuccessful, and Degroat was pronounced deceased at Nathan Littauer Hospital.  

The death is currently under investigation, and further details will be released when they become available.  

Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-have-upgraded-investigation-suspicious-death-hunter-degroat-homicide