12 Year Old Vermont Girl Brooke Bennett’s Death Ruled A Homicide … Michael Jacques & Ray Gagnon Ordered Held for Trial

Brooke Bennett had been missing since June 25, 2008 when her body was found a few miles away from where her uncle, Michael Jacques, a previously convicted and registered sex offender lived. The uncle, Michael Jacques, has been in custody on charges of aggravated sexual assault against a different under age girl.

Michael Jacques, who is accused of abducting his niece, Brooke Bennett, was ordered held until his trial on a federal kidnapping charge. His attorney, Michael Desautels, did not ask U.S. Magistrate-Judge Jerome Niedermeier to release Jacques.

Preliminary reports from Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Nolan has stated that 12 year old Brooke Bennett’s death has been ruled a homicide. The exact cause of the homicide will be determined upon final autopsy results.

Nolan said Brooke’s death was a homicide, but he didn’t say how she was killed. No one has been charged with her death. State police say it could take eight weeks before autopsy results are available.

Jacques could face the death penalty if convicted under federal law of kidnapping resulting in Brooke’s death.

Prosecutors say Jacques, 42, abducted Brooke on June 25. After a weeklong search, she was found buried about a mile from his home in Randolph, about 50 miles southeast of Burlington.

• Feds: Brooke Bennett Was Killed
• Brooke Bennett’s death ruled a homicide
• Prosecutor: Vermont girl’s death was homicide

UPDATE I: New Charges against Brooke Bennet’s Stepfather Ray Gagnon

More information in the disappearance and death of a Randolph pre-teen. New charges against Brooke Bennett’s former step-father — Ray Gagnon — released Monday, in his former home-state of Alabama — for child porn. And uncle Michael Jacques was officially arraigned on federal kidnapping charges.