ST. JOHNSBURY — Autopsies have been completed on two men who died in an altercation early Sunday in St. Johnsbury, Vermont State Police announced Monday.
Ben Lyons, 21, a resident of 16 Cottage St. where the incident occurred, died Sunday afternoon at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner’s Office determined his cause of death as a stab wound to the neck, ruling it a homicide.
Nicholas Johnson, 42, who had no fixed address but was recently living in the St. Johnsbury area, died at the scene Sunday morning.
The Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office identified his cause of death as a gunshot wound, also ruling it a homicide.
Two other residents of the Cottage Street home were injured.
Patrick Mayhew, 33, suffered serious but non-life-threatening knife wounds and was discharged from Dartmouth Hitchcock late Sunday.
Jennifer Bradley, 44, Mayhew’s wife and Lyons’ mother, received minor injuries and was not hospitalized.
Bradley is also Johnson’s former partner.
Two children between ages 12-18 were present during the incident but unharmed physically.
Two family dogs were attacked; one died at a local animal hospital, while the other remains in critical condition at a Massachusetts canine trauma center.
The investigation remains active, with detectives continuing to canvass the area, interview witnesses, and collect evidence.
The Crime Scene Search Team has finished processing the scene.
State police are working with the Caledonia County State’s Attorney’s Office and receiving assistance from the St. Johnsbury Police Department.
Authorities state there is no threat to the public.
