State police call early January disappearance of Bradford man ‘suspicious’

Vermont State Police vehicles come and go from a residence while conducting an investigation in a suspicious missing-persons case on Old Post Road in Bradford, Vt., on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. Police did not originally believe the disappearance of Corey Crooker was suspicious, but said in a news release that new evidence suggests his disappearance was “potentially criminal in nature.” (Valley News - Alex Driehaus) Valley News — Alex Driehaus

A missing poster hangs on a utility pole on Old Post Road in Bradford, Vt., on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. Corey Crooker, 43, was last seen by his family members on January 9 and last heard from five days later. (Valley News - Alex Driehaus) Alex Driehaus

A Vermont State Police major crime unit vehicle is parked outside of a residence while the crime scene search team conducts an investigation in a suspicious missing-persons case on Old Post Road in Bradford, Vt., on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Valley News - Alex Driehaus) Alex Driehaus

By YARDAIN AMRON

VtDigger

Published: 02-05-2025 5:31 PM

Authorities now believe the disappearance of a Bradford man last month was “suspicious” and could be related to a crime, Vermont State Police said in a press release Tuesday night.

Corey Crooker, 43, was last seen by family members on January 9 and last heard from five days later, state police said.

The agency initially deemed Crooker’s disappearance “not suspicious,” but has since obtained evidence that the circumstances of the case are “potentially criminal in nature,” according to the release.

State police conducted a “court-ordered search” of a Bradford property on Tuesday and planned to return Wednesday to continue its investigation.