Shortly before 8 a.m. on Friday, December 23 Essex Resident Trooper Kerry Taylor responded to Applesauce Acres animal farm located at 99 Bushy Hill Road in the Ivoryton section of Essex after the death of four alpacas was reported.

"Trooper Taylor found the four deceased alpacas in a fenced-in pen directly adjacent to Bushy Hill Road with what appeared to be stab wounds," said Public Information Officer Lt. J. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police.

Several other alpacas in the pen were unharmed.

The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) was contacted and investigators responded to assist at the scene. "They too verified that the alpacas sustained numerous stab wounds," Vance said.

Trooper Taylor conducted two previous investigations at Applesauce Acres over the past four months in which other alpacas have been killed at the farm, according to police.

"The investigations have ruled out any wild animal attacks. An animal autopsy was conducted on one of the dead alpacas in the previous case and it appears that it was shot," Vance stated.

Trooper Taylor has developed leads, which she is pursuing at this time.

Troopers are asking anyone who may have seen vehicles or people in the area of Bushy Hill Road anytime overnight to please call 860-399-2100. All information will be kept in strictest confidence.