Taxi driver's death called homicide

The death of a driver found dead in his taxi near Millsboro has been classified as a homicide, state police said Thursday night.

He was identified as William Toomey, 45, of Millsboro, who worked for Delaware Beach Taxi, Sgt. Paul G. Shavack said.

Police – who released a photo of the crime scene – urge anyone who saw the taxi in the Millsboro area between 8 and 9 p.m. Wednesday to contact Homicide Detective Mark Ryde at (302) 299-6102.

Toomey was pronounced dead at the scene after his cab was reported about 10 p.m. Wednesday as a suspicious vehicle, parked on the shoulder of Country Living Road just west of Hardscrabble Road, Shavack said.

No details were released, except that he was found unresponsive in the passenger compartment of the cab.

An autopsy was conducted by the state Division of Forensic Science, Shavack said in a statement, but details about the cause and manner of Toomey's death are being withheld "as not to compromise the integrity of continued investigative efforts."

Before the autopsy, police had labeled the case a "suspicious death investigation."

The public also may send tips by using the state police mobile crime tip app, available for free download at http://www.delaware.gov/apps/, or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333, visiting www.tipsubmit.com or sending texts to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword DSP.

Contact robin brown at (302) 324-2856 or rbrown@delawareonline.com. Find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @rbrowndelaware. Contact Terri Sanginiti at (302) 324-2771 or tsanginiti@delawareonline.com.