Search for missing DV suspect likely 'a recovery situation'

Police say a checkbook belonging to Dale Godfrey was found in this stream off Champion Street. (©Lebanon Voice photo)

COPYRIGHT2017© WEST LEBANON - A State Police Trooper said on Wednesday it's very likely that the suspect in last week's domestic violence assault in West Lebanon could be deceased in the waters of either Milton Three Ponds or the Salmon Falls River that flows downstream to Rochester and the Berwicks.

"It's pretty much a recovery situation," said State Trooper Kyle Wells, who added he still held out an ever-diminishing hope that 52-year-old Dale Godfrey of Lebanon could still be alive.

Godfrey was last seen fleeing from a residence at 167 Sam Wentworth Road April 26 around 4 a.m. following what was described by police as a "violent" domestic violence incident.

Dale Godfrey

His truck was found a couple of miles away about 15-20 yards down a driveway near where a house is being built across the street from Poplar Hill Road where T.M. Wentworth and Champion streets meet in West Lebanon.

Wells said earlier this week that the interior of the truck was covered in blood, including the driver's seat, steering wheel, passenger seat and the passenger side door.

Wells said it was also known that Godfrey kept box cutters in his truck.

State Police noted in a press release on Tuesday that his checkbook was found in a nearby stream near where his truck was found. Wells said on Wednesday none of Godfrey's family or acquaintances have heard from him, that he had withdrawn no money from any bank accounts and that his phone was turned off.

"He has lost touch with anyone that had a connection with him," Wells said.

Wells said he's not sure what the next step will be in the investigation, but did say that the department does have access to cadaver dogs who can sniff out a body in the water.

With the spring runoff, portions of the Salmon Falls below the Milton dams can be quite treacherous, which is another concern, Wells noted.

After Godfrey left his blood-stained pickup truck police theorize he possibly could have been picked up by a passing vehicle or he could have jumped in a body of water referring to Milton Three Ponds.

Both Maine Game Wardens' and Strafford County Sheriff's Office K-9 units took turns last Friday trying to pick up Godfrey's scent from his pickup.

Wells said the K-9s picked up a scent heading down Champion on the right shoulder toward Prospect Hill Road but lost it once it hit the street.

He said they interviewed one area homeowner but they had not seen or heard anything.

While Wells said it's very likely that Godfrey may have intentionally hurt himself, he made it clear Godfrey never indicated he would do so.

The female assaulted in the attack was treated and released with what were described as minor injuries. She is now at a safe area location with the couple's children.

Wells said both mother and children are doing well considering the circumstances.

He also said Godfrey had no criminal record.