Cause of death revealed in Bangor homicide

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – A judge refused Monday to set bail for a Bangor man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend.

Richard Thorpe, 42, made his first appearance in a Penobscot County courtroom on a murder charge.

Bangor police say Thorpe is responsible for the death of Virginia Cookson, 39, who was found dead at her Larkin Street home last Wednesday.

According to court records, Cookson was strangled.

Police said they were called to Cookson’s home and workplace in the days before his death for incidents involving Thorpe’s behavior.

Investigators say Cookson and Thorpe had recently broken up.

Court documents say her cell phone location showed her frequent visits to Cookson’s Larkin Street home the night before and the morning she was found dead.

“I would submit to the court that there is insufficient probable cause for Mr. Thorpe’s arrest. “It’s a little unusual in cases like this, but I don’t see any suggestion that he committed murder in the seven pages of this affidavit,” defense attorney Don Brown argued.

“I actually looked at the affidavit,” Judge Ann Murray replied. “Probable cause is obviously a low standard, but I think it was met in this case, and it has already been found to have been met by another judge.” So, I’m not going to set any bail.

Thorpe was arrested in Massachusetts Friday morning. He was brought back to Maine and booked into the Penobscot County Jail Saturday evening.

His next court appearance is scheduled for November.