Murder of Donald Norcia

On February 23, 1981, around 8:30 p.m. a residential structure on Elliot St. in Brattleboro, Vermont was on fire. Inside was the body of 39-year-old Donald Norcia in his home. He did not die in the fire though, but before the fire was even started as he had no evidence of smoke inhalation in his lungs. An autopsy showed he had been beaten to death. He died from a skull fracture inflicted with a blunt instrument. The fire was set to probably cover the crime.

Donald was the owner of Pinball Wizard and formerly owned IGA in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Donald had a questionable reputation. He ran with a crowd that liked to beat people up. The month prior to his death he was charged and pleaded innocent on a charge of assault of a woman. He allegedly had hit her with the butt of a pistol. In December he was allegedly involved with a fistfight at a club that ended up getting someone's jaw broken.

It's unknown if the motive for his murder was related to his questionable history or not.

SOURCES:
Vermont State Police 
The Burlington Free Press 1 (Newspapers.com)
The Burlington Free Press 2 (Newspapers.com)