This is a website about cold cases in Massachusetts. The purpose of this site is to seek justice for victims of crime, their families and to help locate missing persons. These are people's mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, friends and relatives. Please, see if you can help. If you have a case that you would like submitted please contact us at either of the email addresses below. Please send us a copy of any newsarticles regarding the case. We don't do this website for money and we are not an investigative agency. Many of our pictures and information are from sources such as various Massachusetts newspapers, the Doe Network and the Charley Project. If you have any information about these cases you are asked to call Law Enforcement. If you would like to have a case submitted you may contact us. Please submit a copy of a newspaper article confirming the case.
Updated: 2-19-2013 Murder of Northeastern University Student James Cassidy added.
Witnesses Not Coming Forward in Murder of Teen
On the evening of October 13, 2002, 16 year old teenager Devyn Jude Murphy was stabbed to death in a house party in Wareham, Massachusetts. There was an altercation at the party which was attended by around 50 people, yet no one has come forward with any information. According to family members, Murphy had aspirations of becoming a chiropractor. It is believed that there are several people that may know who killed the teen, but either are afraid or refuse to come forward. If you have any information about who murdered Devyn Jude Murphy please contact the Massachusetts State Police at (508) 759-4488. All calls can be confidential.
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Mystery Surrounds Murder of Brockton Girl
Eleven year old Denise Cochrane was last seen on May 23, 1975 leaving her home on Essex Street in Brockton.
On April 28, 1976 the youngest child of four siblings was found dead in a transformer casing in a steelyard.
She was murdered and had died of external injuries which included a fractured skull. Police believe that the 6th grader was murdered at another site and dumped in the casing. Her murder has been unsolved for around thirty five years and her family still seeks answers and justice. There are also other cases of murdered children in Brockton that have not been solved. It is not known if her murder is related to the others. If you have any information about this case please contact the Brockton Police Department at (508) 941-0200. |
Two Decades Later Brutal Homicide of Popular Teacher's Aide Still Unsolved
In the town of Agawam and the areas that surround it in Massachusetts and Connecticut, people still talk quietly about the brutal killing of Lisa Ziegert. She was a well liked teacher’s aide that worked in the town’s middle school with special need children. She also had a part time job at the Brittany's Card and Gift Shoppe in town. April 15, 1992, was the last time anyone saw the popular 24 year old. The next day, the owner of the gift shop noticed that the door to the store was unlocked. Lisa, was nowhere to be found. Sadly, four days later on Easter Sunday, April 19, 1992, She was found deceased by a man walking his dog. She had been stabbed and sexually assaulted and was partially clothed. Her body was found in an area hundred of feet deep in the woods that was off of a dirt road that connected to Route 75 in town.
Law Enforcement believe that she was abducted from the store between the times of 8:20 and 9:10 pm. At one time a $100,000 reward was offered by the state of Massachusetts for anyone with information that would lead them to the conviction of any individual(s) responsible for Ziegert’s death.
Many people have speculated as to who may have killed Lisa Ziegert. There are postings on the internet that allege that a possible killer may be protected by certain people. Some believe she may have known her killer. There are others that say that it may have been a former Massachusetts resident awaiting trial for a brutal murder in Florida. If you have any information about this case please call the Massachusetts State Police at 413-747-4809.
Of all the cases on this website which includes all of New England as well as New York and New Jersey; this is the case that brings in the most visitors.
| Murder Haunts Family
On August 26th 2011, twenty year old Amanda Plasse was a victim of homicide in her downtown apartment in the town of Chicopee. It happened on a sunny Friday afternoon around 4:30pm at 73 School Street. She had been stabbed multiple times.
The twenty year old waitress worked at Friendly’s Restaurant on Memorial Drive and enjoyed going to various music festivals: Bella Terra, Strang Creek and some others in New York State. She enjoyed playing acoustic guitar and liked folk and bluegrass music. She would design tie-dye shirts and blankets. She also enjoyed tattoos and had a large amount of them on her. The family believes that there may be individuals that know something and that they need to come forward. The murder took place in a busy area of Chicopee. Any information would be helpful. If you or anyone you know has information about this case, you are asked to call the Chicopee Police at (413) 594-1730. You could also text any information anonymously using Text a Tip by sending a message to 274637. Type SOLVE in the message and then hit “Send.” |
Disappearance of Woman Still Haunts Family
Twenty two year old Susan Dequina hung out with a bad crowd. On October 3rd of 1979 she was last seen outside her home in Lynn, Massachusetts. Decades later police believe she may have been murdered by some members of a criminal motorcycle club. One person in particular is believed to be a prime suspect. Incidentally this same suspect is also a person of interest in two other unsolved homicides. However, police will never get the chance to question him because the suspect was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Bridgeport, Connecticut not long after Dequina disappeared. At the time of her disappearance, Dequina was 5'3 with auburn hair and hazel colored eyes. She also had a tattoo of a rose on her chest and the name Archie. If you have any information about this case please contact the Lynn Police Department at 781-595-2000. All calls can be confidential.
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Disappearance and Murder of Woman Raises Questions Deborah Bates was 23 years old when she disappeared from her apartment on Liberty Street in Lowell on Feb. 23, 1993. At the time she was 6 months pregnant.
Eleven years later, her skeletal remains were found March 11, 2004, around 50 feet from the on-ramp leading from the Lowell Connector to Route 3 South.
At first suspicion focused on the unknown Main South Woodsman Killer who is believed to have murdered Betzaida Montalvo, 29, and Carmen Rudy, 28, found in Marlborough in September of 2003. As well as Dinelia Torres, 33,who was found in Hudson in March 2004. The three worked as prostitutes in the Main South neighborhood of Worcester. Alex Scesny is considered “a person of interest” in those killings and was convicted in the 1996 murder of Theresa Stone in Fitchburg in which he is serving a life sentence. Police do not believe though that he is responsible for the murder of Deborah Bates. Whoever, killed Bates, had recently placed her and the remains of her unborn child near the site of discovery. If you have any information about the murder of Deborah Bates and her unborn child, please call the Lowell Police Department at 978-937-3232. |
Law Enforcement have looked at her ex-boyfriend with who she had a son with in 1990. There had been allegations of physical abuse and drug usage in their relationship. The ex-boyfriend had also served jail time for armed robbery and had several restraining orders filed against him by Bates.
A Letter Links Two Girls That Were Tragically Abducted
On August 5, 1993, ten-year-old Holly Piirainen was at her grandparents
cottage in the town of Sturbridge. She and her brother that day went to
see a neighbor of their grandparents to go see their puppies. Her brother
returned to the cottage but Holly had disappeared. All that was found was
shoe of hers by the side of the road. Months later on October 23rd, her
remains were found by hunters in a wooded area in the nearby town of
Brimfield.During the time that Holly went missing, another ten year old girl
named Molly Bish from the town of Warren had written a letter to the
Piirainen family. She had stated in the letter that she wished she had met
Holly and that she would be found.
Update 1-3-2012, Massachusetts authorities have announced a person of interest in the murder of Holly Piirainen. Forensic evidence ties David Edmund Pouliot, to the scene where Holly's body was found. Pouliot, died in 2003. No word yet, if he is a person of interest in the Molly Bish case or others. |
Did She Start a New Life or was there Foul Play? There is little information released to the public about Debra Cressotti. She lived in the town of Blandford in Hampden County. Her brown colored 1975 Chevrolet 210 Series was found at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT on April 30, 1985. Since then the blue eyed twenty-nine year old has been a missing person. At the time of her last sighting she was around 130 to 150 pounds and was around the height of 5 foot six inches tall. She had a scar on her right knee and had suffered a prior pelvic fracture from a horse back riding accident. She could have left on her own accord or met with foul play. Either way it's been over 25 years.
If you have any information about the disappearance of Debra Cressotti please call the Massachusetts State Police at 413-505-5933. |
Sadly on June 27, 2000, Molly Bish disappeared while performing her
job as a lifeguard at Commins Pond in Warren. After an extensive search
that last for months, her remains were found just miles from the Bish home
on June 9, 2003. The last known person to see her alive was her mother,
who noticed a middle-aged man in a white car hanging out in the parking
lot. Police have had several people of interest in Molly's case. An
arrest in a separate attempted abduction case in August 2007 now has Law
Enforcement looking at a possible suspect. Below is a composite sketch of
a possible suspect in the Molly Bish murder. If you have any information
about the homicides of either of these young women, please contact the
Massachusetts State Police at 1-800-808-9677. For more information about
the Molly Bish case go to
A Customer Enters a Taxi and Cab Driver is Dead 
It was May 30th, 1985 when the body of 42 year old John Moura was found behind the wheel of his taxi. His vehicle and body were found at Fort Rodman in New Bedford. Moura, who had driven a taxi for 13 years had been shot twice in the back. His wallet containing fifty dollars was found next to him and a gold chain and watch were not taken from him. His vehicle and meter were still running. For decades, police have been looking for a person of interest in Moura’s murder. The cab driver from New Bedford had picked up a man in front of the Bank of Boston building on Pleasant Street in New Bedford at 11am that day. By noontime, Moura would not respond to radio contact to the cab company he worked for. Two hours after the pickup, his body was found. The person of interest is described as a white male with black hair that was neatly groomed. He was around five feet, seven inches tall and around 170 pounds with a slight gut and medium build. The clothing the man wore at the time was a black T-shirt, black pants and he may have been carrying a black or tan jacket. Moura left behind five children and his mother died never seeing justice for her son. If you have any information about this case, please contact the New Bedford Police Department at 508-991-6300 extension 327. You can remain anonymous. |
Who is the Lady of the Dunes?
UPDATE 3-2-2012: Investigators are looking into the possibility that the Lady in the Dunes may have been seen with arrested Gangster James "Whitey" Bulger. Bulger had been seen in Provincetown that same time period with a woman that matched the description of the murder victim. More details to come.
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US Soldier Gunned Down On City Street Julian Cartie was getting enjoying a night out clubbing in Springfield, Massachusetts for he was about to ship out overseas to Afghanistan. But in the early morning of February 22, 2009, the 25 year old New Britain native was shot to death in cold blood.
Around 2 a.m. Cartie and several friends approached a 2006 blue colored Honda Civic or Hyundai that was at the intersection of State and Main streets. There was anywhere between three to four young females and one male passenger in the front seat . It is believed that the women were in their late teens to early twenties. There may been a verbal confrontation when the one male in the car and shot at Cartie hitting him several times. The suspect is described as a light skinned Hispanic male who was clean shaven and wore a white polo shirt and blue jeans. He is believed to be 5-foot-7-inch to 5-foot-9-inches tall and in his early twenties.
The former New Britain high school football star died of his wounds moments later. Springfield Police think it is possible that his killer(s) could be from Springfield or even from Connecticut cities such as Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport or Meriden. The family is offering a ten thousand dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for Cartie’s homicide. See here
If you have any information about the murder of Julian Cartie please call the Springfield Police Department at 413- 787-6355.
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Death of Teenage Girl Still Haunts Town
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Notorious Gangster Still On The Run
ATTENTION: On 6-22-2011, Bulger was captured in Santa Monica, California. More Details to come. |
Perhaps no gangster or mobster is as famous in Massachusetts history as
James "Whitey" Bulger. Bulger who grew up in South Boston was
the leader of the feared Winter Hill Gang. A survivor of prison stints in
Alcatrazz and various gang wars. He is wanted for his involvement in
nineteen murders as well as extortion, money laundering and drug dealing.
Bulger was not only an intimidating crimeboss but it soon came to light
that he and other members of his organization were FBI informants. They
disclosed damaging information about the rival Patriarca Crime family that
had a heavy presence in Boston. Born September 3, 1929, Bulger is now in
his late seventies and rumored to be in Europe with his longtime
girlfriend Catherine Greig. Bulger has been wanted by Law Enforcement
since 1995. The US Government is offering a one million dollar reward for
his capture. For more information click
Nearly Ten years Later, Five month Old Baby Is Still Missing
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Man Stabbed to death in front of Son
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On November 7, 1998, Yolanda I. Castillo reported to Worcester Police that
her five month old foster son Marlon Devine Santos was missing. His foster
parents waited forty eight hours before notifying law enforcement that
little Marlon had disappeared from their home at 175 Eastern Avenue. At
one point, police received information that he could be found along the
banks of the Wachusett Reservoir in the town of Holden. A search turned up
a baby blanket, diaper and other items, but no Marlon. The foster father,
Jose Castillo has a criminal record and was convicted of sexually
assaulting a foster daughter. Some in Law Enforcement believe that baby
Marlon is deceased, but another theory points to him being alive and
illegally sold to adoptive parents. If you have any information about the
whereabouts of Marlon Devin Santos please call Worcester Police at
508-799-8606 For more information about this case 
Few murders shake the population of a large city like Worcester. However, on Feb. 23, 1991, 28 year old Bruce Wood was stabbed to death in front of his five year old son as they walked back from a McDonalds Restaurant. Police found Wood deceased at Chestnut Street behind Fanning Trade High School, his young son kneeling by his body. It is believed that Wood had been a target of a robbery and had been stabbed several times in the back and once in the chest. The murder suspect was described as being a black male around 20 to 25 years of age, around six feet tall and about 160 to 170 pounds. For more information about this case click on this article by the Worcester Telegram. If you have any information about this case you are asked to contact the Worcester Police Department at (508) 799-8655.
Serial Killing Spree Still UnsolvedThe period of April to September of 1988 was a time of terror in New Bedford. It is believed that a killer or killers took the lives of eleven women. Nine of which were found murdered and two are still missing. Many of the victims were involved drug usage and in some cases prostitution. The women's bodies were all found alongside highways outside of New Bedford. The first victim was found in July of 1988 and the last known victim was found on April 24, 1989 off of Interstate 195. Over the years there were two prime suspects, one was an accused prostitute rapist who later committed suicide. The other was an attorney who had connections to several of the deceased victims. To date there has been no conviction in any of the murders of the New Bedford women. The known victims of the New Bedford Highway Killer are: Dawn Mendes, 25, of New Bedford. Nancy Paiva, 36, of New Bedford. Debra Greenlaw Perry DeMello, 35 of Brockton. Deborah McConnell, 25, of Newport, Rhode Island. Mary Rose Santos, 27, Of New Bedford. Sandra Botelho, 25, of New Bedford. Rochelle Clifford Dopierala, 28, of Falmouth. Debra Medeiros, 29, of Fall River. Robbin Rhodes, 29, of New Bedford. If you have any information about these murders or the disappearances of Marilyn Roberts and Christina Monteiro please contact the New Bedford Police at 508-991-6320.
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Killers in 2007 Murder Videotaped But Not Identified
If you have any information about this case please call the Chelsea Police Department’s anonymous tip line at 617-466-4880 or the Suffolk District Attorney at 617-727-8817. |
Gunshot Execution of College Student Still UnsolvedDespite being a criminal justice major at Northeastern University, 21 year old James H. Cassidy of Worcester had a side business selling marijuana. On a Monday evening of the May 12, 2003. Three or four individuals broke into his apartment at 204 Hemenway Street in Boston. Their faces had been covered by hoodies and bandanas. They tied up four occupants of the place by duct taping their hands and feet. They were heard shouting “Where’s the Weed?” and “Where’s Jimmy?”. An alleged confrontation soon followed between the perpetrators and Cassidy. Cassidy was shot several times in the legs and died hours later at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he expired at 1:30 a.m. Not much is known about the suspects but the crime had been planned. One witness noticed that some of them may have been drinking alcohol. Despite his activities, Cassidy was a victim of a violent crime. He left behind family and friends who are traumatized by his homicide. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617- 343-4470 or the CRIMESTOPPERS TIPLINE AT 1-800-494-TIPS. |
March 3, 2007 Ronald Yonuss was murdered by three men as they followed him into the entrance of the Admirial Hill Building on Commandants Way in Chelsea. He was twenty three years old.
A minute-long video shows three men, two wearing hoodies and one who se face is visible and talking on a cell phone. They follow Yonuss close behind as he enters his apartment building. About 30 seconds later, the three suspects are then videotaped running out after the fatal shooting. Two of the suspects are believed to be black males. This was a senseless act of violence and the Police need your help to identify those responsible.
No Answers In Bizarre Traffic Death Just North of ConnecticutNovember 9th 1998 at 8am, 16 year old Ashley Turniak was found dead on the breakdown lane of I-91 south in Longmeadow, Massachusetts just 1½ mile from the Connecticut border. The well liked teenager from Agawam had been seen in her high school parking lot before her first class started at 7:25 that morning. Less than an hour later, witnesses reported that she went feet-first from the passenger window of a car heading south towards Connecticut. Her backpack was found on Woodlawn Avenue in Enfield, Connecticut not far from a highway exit. At the time of her death witnesses reported that she was in a tan or light brown mid-size vehicle, possibly a late 80s model Ford Tempo or a vehicle similar to that. After Turniak's fall, the car was seen leaving I-91 at Exit 49 in Connecticut. More than five years later many questions persist, was she pushed or did she fall? Who was the driver? A still grieving family and Massachusetts State Police want to know. If you have any information about this case please call (413) 747-4809. |
More than 25 Years Later Young Boy is Still Missing
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Nine year old, Taj Narbonne was petrified of his stepfather Clarence Dean.
The two did not get along. On March 31, 1981, he left his on Naples Street
in Leominster home after an alleged argument with Clarence. He has not
been seen since. He was last seen wearing a yellow jacket with blue
sleeves, and a yellow sweatshirt with a picture of Donald Duck on it.
There are conflicting reports as to whether he had shoes and socks on.
Years later, his stepfather was convicted of kidnapping Taj's mother.
Years later he was convicted of another crime as he shot at a police
officer and took two hostages. Taj's disappearance has been classified as
a non-family abduction and is possible that he could have been abducted by
someone other than Dean. If you have any information about the whereabouts
of Taj Narbonne, please call contact the Leominster Police Department at
978-537-0741.
Unlikely Suspect In 1972 Murder of Altar Boy
If Lavigne is proven to be the killer of Danny Croteau, it may be perhaps the saddest footnote in the history of the Catholic Church Abuse Scandal in the United States. |
Wife Still Missing Years After Argument with Husband
Thirty year old Debra Marie Melo was last seen by her husband Luis Melo
on June 20, 2000 in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Around the time of 3 to 4 pm
that day, Luis Melo claimed that the two had an argument and that she
demanded to leave the vehicle which was on route 18 south of the Weymouth
Naval Air Station. Luis claimed that he later drove by the same road but
she was nowhere to be found. The couple is alleged to have a rocky
marriage and at one time she filed a restraining order against Luis.
Debra's family insists that that she didn't just wander off. They claim
she wouldn't have left behind her two children. For more information about
this case please visit The
Charley Project Website. If you have any information about this case,
please contact the Massachusetts State Police 781-830-4800. |
It is one of Massachusett's most notorious cases. In 1972, 13 year old
Danny Croteau was found floating in the Chicoppe River just miles from his
Springfield home. It is believed that he was killed by being struck in the
head witth a rock. For decades, suspicions have pointed to someone that
was close to Danny's family. A priest at their family's church at the time
of his homicide. The Reverend Richard R. Lavigne is considered the prime
suspect. He was convicted on charges of child molestation on two other
boys in 1992. There have been almost 40 claims by individuals that they
say they were abused by him. It is alleged that some people in the
Catholic Diocese of Springfield were aware of the allegations of abuse and
murder, yet still allowed Lavigne to be a priest.
Brutal Murder Still Shakes Town
In Swampscott, in December of 1974, fifteen year old Henry Bedard Jr. had gone missing after
he had done some errands. Within hours, his parents knew something was wrong and desperately
organized a group to search for him. On the 16th of December, a ten year old boy stumbled upon the body of the
15 year old high school athlete. The murder scene was described as gruesome. Bedard Jr. had been
bludgeoned to death and buried under a pile of leaves. A baseball bat (Louisville Slugger) was
located just feet from his body.
The area where he was murdered was near a hill overlooking the
town property. The place was a popular lookout. It is possible he was going there to meet someone.
The murderer(s) could have been someone he knew or a random act of violence.
The murder caused his parents to divorce and traumatized his surviving siblings. They want answers and to get justice. There is one clue however, that has baffled police. A strange marking found at the end of the baseball bat. To date Law Enforcement has not been able to idenfity it. If you have any information about the murder of Henry Bedard Jr., please call the Swampscott Police Department at (781) 595-1111 or by email at rmadigan@swampscottpolice.com |
Who is She???
On August 8, 2004, the remains of black female were found in a wooded area just behind the Plainville Truck stop. A Skull and a woman's toros were found buried in a shallow grave buried by either a blanket or a burlap. Law Enforcement estimates
that she may have been between the ages of 25 to 35 years old and her height may have been between 4 foot 9 inches to 5 foot 3 inches. There was no answer as to how she died but she was placed there by someone. The victim may have also been bi-racial and been at the site for at least three to ten years. For more information about this case visit the Doe Network. If you have any idea as to who this person may be, please contact the Plainville Police Department at 508-699-1212 or 508-695-7115. |
What Happened to these Two Teenaged Boys?
It was September 9, 1957 when two teenagers named Robert Rasmussen and Gerard Montrio (pictured) vanished. The two boys from the town of Plymouth were last seen during the afternoon of that day. Their clothes were piled up on some rocks on a beach on Plymouth Harbor near the house where Rasmussen lived. At first it was thought the two boys who were 13 and 15, "may have drowned. But there were theories that they may have run away or been kidnapped. They both still have siblings that would like to know what happened to their brothers. If they are alive, they would like to speak to them. Montrio at the time of his disappearance was six feel tall with black hair and brown eyes. He weighed around 140 pounds. Montrio's sister has a message for him or anyone that may know where he is.
"Anybody knows about him? Anyone can give me a trail? Do you recognize the boy in the picture? Gerald if you read this message, please contact me. I'm Raquel, your sister. There's too many years without hearing from you, without any news from you. I've missed you so much all these years, I still miss you. Please contact me." Anyone with information is urged to send an email to lookingforgeraldmontrio@hotmail.com. |
Sixteen Year Old Disappears Two Decades Ago James Lusher Jr. had planned to take a bike ride to the town of Blandford, Massachusetts on November 6, 1992.
The teenager from Westfield was going to watch a bicycle race that day. HE never made it. Days later his bike was found near a pond in a wooded area of Westfield. A search turned up nothing. At first it was believed that Lusher may have run away. He had some behavioral issues as well as having the mental capacity of a twelve year old child. However, as time has passed, it is likely that he was a victim of foul play. One such suspect could have been Louis Lent. Lent was convicted of killing 12 year old Jimmy Bernardo from Pittsfield. Lent was eventually caught when a passerby thwarted his attempt to kidnap a young girl. Lent is a suspect in the disappearance of several boys and girls in the New York/New England area. There are other people of interest that may have harmed Lusher as well. However, their names have not been made public. Please contact the Westfield police department at 413-562-5411 if you have information about this case.
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Song is called "Late Goodbye" and is performed by Poets of the Fall
