Police identify man whose severed legs were found in Connecticut; testing on arms continues

DNA testing showed that the severed legs found on July 15 near a train station were those of Ray Roberson. (New Haven Police Department via AP)

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Two severed legs found near a Connecticut train station earlier this month were from a homeless man last seen in May, and testing continues on two arms found nearby, authorities said Monday.

DNA testing by the state crime lab showed the legs discovered in New Haven on July 15 were those of 54-year-old Ray Roberson, said Officer David Hartman, the New Haven police spokesman.

The legs were found in thick foliage along the fence line of the State Street train station. The two arms, which did not have hands attached, were found in a plastic bag in the same area later the same day. Police said DNA tests on the arms are pending.

"This case is being investigated as a homicide although there is no indication yet as to where the homicide or dismemberments occurred," Hartman said in a statement.

Police are expected to release more details on the case at a news conference Monday afternoon.

Roberson had a mostly minor criminal record that included a 2012 felony conviction for violating a protective order, according to state court records. In that case, he was also convicted of violating the terms of a probation-like release program called conditional discharge and was sentenced to seven months in jail. Details of those convictions weren't immediately available.

He also had several other convictions for breach of peace and disorderly conduct, and had a pending breach of peace case in which he missed a June 17 court date.

DNA from the legs matched a DNA profile of Roberson that was in state offender databases, police said.

Authorities have not found any other body parts in the investigation, Hartman said.