In the late summer of 2016, the community of Putnam, Connecticut, was shaken by an act of violence that claimed the life of a man with a vision for the town's future. Greg Renshaw, a 55-year-old White / Caucasian male, was a passionate historic preservationist and antique dealer who had undertaken the ambitious project of transforming the historic Cargill Falls Mill into a vibrant mixed-use development. His dream was to create a sustainable space with residential units and commercial workspaces, a project that would have significantly expanded Putnam's downtown area.
On the evening of August 22, 2016, at approximately 9:18 p.m., events took a tragic turn. Connecticut State Police were dispatched to 58 Pomfret Street, the site of the Cargill Falls Mill, following a report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Greg Renshaw inside an upstairs apartment, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to Day Kimball Hospital and later airlifted to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts, for advanced care. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Greg Renshaw succumbed to his injuries two days later, on August 24, 2016.
The Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad immediately launched an investigation into the shooting. Authorities described the incident as isolated, assuring the public that there was no ongoing threat. However, the investigation has yielded few public answers in the years that have followed. Information regarding a motive or potential suspects has not been released, leaving a lingering sense of mystery and unresolved grief for Renshaw's family and the community he was working to enrich. The case remains open and is considered one of Putnam's most perplexing unsolved crimes.
Greg Renshaw, a resident of Sterling at the time of his death, was remembered for his dedication to history and his craft. He was a beloved husband to Leanne R. Parker and a devoted father to his three sons, Ralph E. Renshaw III, Reuben H. Renshaw, and Gabriel A. Renshaw. His untimely death not only left a void in the lives of his loved ones but also halted a promising development that held the potential to reshape a piece of Putnam's history. To this day, no arrests have been made in connection with his murder, and the search for those responsible continues.
