MOUNT OLIVE (11/25/05) – Joseph O. Gagnon, 68, a 15 year "well liked" resident of the township and father of two grown sons was arrested on Thanksgiving morning in Connecticut in connection with the fatal shooting of another long time resident, Annick Smitton, whose decomposed body was found yesterday in Gagnon’s rented apartment in Eagle Rock Village.

Smitton lived in a neighboring garden apartment, Hensyn Village, about a mile away. Police are still investigating the relationship between the two.

An autopsy report indicated Smitton had been dead between 15 and 20 days. Police, thus far, have not determined a motive.

Smitton’s fully clothed body was found on Wednesday in Gagnon’s apartment after a neighbor reported an odor coming from the apartment to a worker who called police.

Police in Westport, Conn. were notified by local police that Gagnon, who was unemployed, may be heading there since he had relatives there and in New York. Westport police stopped Gagnon as he drove up to a relative’s home. They said when they approached Gagnon he made an attempt to escape but was stopped and easily taken into custody.

The Westport police, while making arrangements for extradition said he also would be charged there with having a weapon in his vehicle, having a gun without a permit, being a fugitive and reckless driving.

Morris County Prosecutor Michael Rubbinaccio said initial inquiries indicate the couple had known each other for about two or three years and first met in the Mount Olive Library, which at the time the library was located on Wolf Road near both apartment complexes.

There are witnesses who have told police both were regular visitors to the library. Smitton was on the quiet side and he was always very pleasant and talkative.

Rubbinaccio said as yet there is no motive but it was not a "random" crime. It is known that Gagnon purchased a 40 caliber revolver in Roxbury on October 13. A 40 caliber shell casing was found in the apartment near her body, although they have not positively identified the murder weapon, police said.

Relatives and neighbors when questioned, according to police, said murder was entirely out of character for Gagnon.