Updated 11 a.m.: Genesee County authorities are investigating a homicide at a Batavia motel and asking for the public's help in identifying next of kin.
The Genesee County Sheriff's Department has identified the victim as Sherri Butler, 58. She had been living at the Sunset Motel on West Main Street week to week and was known to police, but authorities do not know how to notify next of kin of her death.
The case began when the department received a call about noon Monday for an unresponsive woman found in one of the motel rooms. The motel owner had not seen Butler in a few days and went to check on her.
Authorities determined the circumstances of her death were "suspicious." An autopsy by the Monroe County Coroner's Office confirmed Tuesday afternoon that it was a homicide "attributed to sharp force trauma to the carotid artery.”
In a Wednesday morning news conference, investigators said there were no signs of forced entry to the room and Butler had a history with police, but are not releasing any additional information at this time.
Anyone with information about contacting Butler's next of kin is asked to call the Genesee County Sheriff's Department at 343-5000.
