Autopsy Complete In The Murder In Somersworth Walmart Parking Lot

SOMERSWORTH, NH — An autopsy has been completed on a man killed Friday night in Somersworth, and the death has been ruled a homicide.

Around 11:19 p.m., police were sent to Waltons Way for a report of a man assaulting another man. Upon arriving, officers found Jan VanTassel, 79, unresponsive, with visible head and facial injuries.

First responders determined VanTassel, of Center Ossipee, was dead according to Michael Garrity of the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office.

An autopsy was completed Sunday on the body of VanTassel, 79, of Center Ossipee. The autopsy was conducted by Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Mitchell Weinberg. Weinberg determined VanTassel’s cause of death was due to compressional asphyxia and that his manner of death was a homicide.

As a result of an investigation, a warrant was issued against Brian Roberge, 52, of Somersworth, on a single count of second-degree murder Saturday. Roberge was taken into custody near the scene of the incident.

"Mr. Roberge is alleged to have recklessly caused the death of Mr. VanTassel under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by striking him repeatedly in the head and face," Michael Garrity, a spokesman for the attorney general's office, said.

Roberge is expected to be arraigned Monday in the Strafford County Superior Court.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact New Hampshire State Police Communications at 603-223-4381, with attention to Det. Sgt. Justin Rowe.