A missing Ontario County man was found dead inside a motel room Saturday after an extensive search, and investigators are now working to locate a person of interest, according to the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies identified the victim as 37-year-old Emmanuel Richelieu of Farmington. His body was discovered inside a room at the America’s Best Value Inn.
The investigation began around 11 p.m. Friday, April 17, when Richelieu’s brother reported him missing after not hearing from him for two days. Using a phone tracking app, the brother told dispatchers Richelieu’s phone appeared to be at the motel property.
Deputies responded early Saturday and located the phone on-site. A search followed throughout the day, involving deputies, drones, and a sheriff’s office bloodhound.
The K9 later alerted investigators to Room 118. Deputies entered the room and found a deceased man, then exited to secure a search warrant before re-entering and confirming the victim was Richelieu.
Richelieu had “significant trauma” to his body, and the case is being investigated as a suspicious death. His body was taken to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office, where an autopsy is pending.
The room where Richelieu was found was registered to 29-year-old Julius Ware IV, who investigators say was recently released on parole. Authorities say they have not been able to locate Ware and are asking him to contact the sheriff’s office for questioning. They are also asking for the public’s help in finding him.
Anyone with information about the case or Ware’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office at 315-626-8367 or 800-394-4560, or submit a tip through the OntarioSheriff NY mobile app.
The investigation remains ongoing.
