Homicide Investigation Ongoing In Manchester 13-Year-Old's Death

MANCHESTER, CT — Manchester police continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the death of a 13-year-old girl and the discovery of her body in a local apartment complex.

That was the only update Manchester Police Department spokesman Lt. Ryan Shea said he could give Monday. He said the nature of the case requires a "thorough investigation."

Here's what we do know about the death of Zaniya Wright from police and medical reports:

• She was reported missing at about 8:30 p.m. June 17
• At 8:40 a.m. the next day, she was found unresponsive in what police described as a common area of a basement at 40 Olcott St. — the South Adams apartment complex
• She was determined to be dead at the scene
• The state police Major Crimes Unit, Manchester Police Detective Unit and the state's attorney's office are all part of the investigation
• Over the weekend, the Officer Of The state medical Examiner said the cause of death was strangulation
• The ME's office determined the case to be a homicide
• Wright was a seventh-grader at Illing Middle School and the Manchester Public Sc cool system is offering counseling to those affected by her death

Police reiterated what they said Friday morning.

"We're doing everything we can to make sure everything is in order to determine what happened," they said. "The death of a 13-year-old affects the entire community. This is tragic situation for our community."

Manchester police also reiterated that anyone with information on the case can call them at 860-645-5500.

The Manchester public school system released a statement on Wright's death late Friday:

"Dear Manchester Public Schools Community,

"Earlier today we were made aware of the tragic death of Zaniya Wright, a seventh-grader at Illing Middle School. I want to offer our most sincere condolences and prayers to Zaniya’s family, her many friends, and people throughout our community traumatized by this terrible news. For all those who knew Zaniya both at school and in the community, this is a heartbreaking and incredibly sad day.

"In times like this it is important to be able to lean on and take care of one another and the district is committed to ensuring all members of our school community are supported. I know you join me in keeping Zaniya, her family, and all those who loved her in your thoughts and prayers."