By Ted Waddell
CALLICOON — October 11, 2002 – A tight seal remains on information in a case that continues to be on the minds of area residents.
In the weeks following the tragic death of Callicoon business owner Lyn Phillips, Pennsylvania law enforcement authorities said the investigation was continuing and they were awaiting toxicology reports and the results of scientific examinations of unspecified items of evidence.
According to Wayne County District Attorney Mark Zimmer yesterday, the couple’s two vehicles were recently returned to Lyn’s husband, John Rand “Randy” Phillips. No other evidence has been returned, but the case is under active investigation, he said. Zimmer added that they’re still awaiting test results.
To date, no charges have been filed against anyone in the death of Marilyn “Lyn” Phillips.
According to the Pa. State Police, the body of Lyn Phillips was reportedly discovered by Randy Phillips near an Abrahamsville, Pa. bridge crossing Cooley Creek on Sunday afternoon, August 25 – about two miles west of Hankins.
The couple owned Lyn & Randy’s Callicoon Saloon & Beanery on Main Street, a popular eatery and watering hole. Since the tragedy, staff has kept the saloon open for business.
Police said that after questioning Phillips for several hours, they executed numerous search warrants based upon sufficient probable cause and conducted interviews related to the investigation.
At first, authorities said Randy Phillips offered “conflicting” statements about how his wife disappeared from their vehicle after he dropped off an employee late Saturday night, August 24, at a residence in Hankins.
Dr. Edward Murray, Wayne County Coroner, said forensic pathologist Dr. Gary Ross conducted an autopsy on the body of the deceased on August 26 at Wayne County Memorial Hospital.
The cause of death was officially ruled “blunt force trauma to the head,” but the exact manner of death remained undetermined.
DA Zimmer said on several occasions that, unless the facts prove otherwise, he investigates every death under suspicious circumstances as a homicide.