The incident is the first homicide occurrence in Hanover since the murders of Dartmouth professors Half and Susanne Zantop in 2001.
Hanover Police think that Descoteaux's death resulted from a fight between the victim and a fellow construction worker last Monday evening, but they have not made any arrests as of yet, Chief Nicholas Giaccone said.
Although police have not confirmed that the Monday evening quarrel caused the death, Giaccone ruled out the possibility of an unknown culprit.
"We know all of the players," he said.
The two men were staying at the Chieftain while working on a Hanover construction project unconnected with the College, Giaccone said. The other man has returned home while police carry out their investigation.
Although the death has been ruled a homicide, authorities have not yet called it a murder, or even labeled it criminal. Police will determine its status after they learn more about the circumstances surrounding the death, Giaccone said.
"What we have to do is determine the culpability," he said.
After other construction workers found Descoteaux's body Tuesday, emergency units rushed him to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, where he died Thursday after having been taken off of life support. The ensuing autopsy showed that Descoteaux suffered a subdural hematoma, contusions and herniation of the brain, according to a press release.
Descoteaux lived in Gilmanton Iron Works, N.H., and worked for AA&D Masonry, his daughter, Melissa Watkins, said. Giaccone confirmed that the suspect and the victim worked for the same company.
The masonry company was unavailable for comment.
The Police Chief would not comment on the cause of the fight or the weapon that struck the victim because the investigation is ongoing.
Descoteaux is survived by his daughter Melissa, his wife Lori and their three-year-old son Blake.
