Rather than letting these slayings and disappearances run cold, producers of the new true crime podcast Unsolved: Worcester are working with the Worcester police to unpack each case, some dating back to the 1950s. Shot while sitting in car outside 5 Rice Ln. He was believed to be involved in the sale of illegal narcotics. The sightings ceased after December of 1945, and the Black Flash was never seen again. Now I couldnt wrap my head around how a child would just let somebody open a door and throw them out. Massachusetts has had creepy and mysterious happenings going down since it was founded (hello, Salem Witch Trials). So, this is the perfect example where potentially we might have persons of interest, and if we were able show people who have never seen any of those photographs, who might have been in that league, when they read the article, would be like, Hey, Ill look at the pictures, it may be someone I saw. That would be important to us because this dart league that were aware of had a lot of players. 26 year old male was shot to death in the rear of Honey Farms on Harding Street on 12-26-1998. I looked up to her.. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 24 year old female was murdered on 10-12-1982. LEcuyer said the families started to leave after the murder and that Gonyeas family was one of them. Details of Memorial for Webster Firefighter Paul Cloutier Announced. Help us solve these cases and bring justice to the victims' families! The poem, That Fateful Night (in loving memory of Travis Monroe we miss you), which Berry provided to Worcester Magazine, reads: Laying on the ground, staring at the moon, Saying to himsef god im coming to you soon, Because it was after a party for his band, But I didnt drink, I wouldnt lie to you, Never got into trouble, I was well behaved, When you see the man in court dont through a fit, What happened to my face filled with innocence and, My life has just begun but its all gone now, I wanna come back to life but I dont kno how, But I cant get older, have kids or a wife, Its now to late im going towards the light, Lying dead on the ground that fateful Night. He died as a result of multiple stab wounds. The stories said that there were suspects who lured Mr. Harkins into a car outside the bar, that Mr. Harkins refused to testify on behalf of one of the suspects in a drug case, that Millbury police stopped a car driven by the suspects the night Mr. Harkins disappeared and officers saw blood, and that the car matched witnesses descriptions of the one Mr. Harkins got into when he left the bar. On the evening of March 15, 2001, Elizabeth Matos and William Vega were shot and killed while walking on Dewey Street in Worcester. Witnesses may be more willing to speak now, he said, and old evidence and photographs can be reviewed with new technology. In once scene of the film, a woman that resembled the reconstructions of the victim is shown in a crowd, wearing a blue bandanna and jeans, which were also found with the victim. This was a Friday night, this was a college town, this was a college party, this was a fight that happened off campus. (Photo from Google Maps). You might have trouble sleeping tonight knowing that these creepy tales have happened in your state, maybe even in your town. Yeager, known for his role as Leatherface in 2013's Texas Chainsaw 3D, was hired by Unsolved: Worcester executive producer and Worcester journalist Pat Sargent in August 2022 after Sargent began pulling cases with Alex London, a researcher at the Worcester Public Library. In August of 1817, locals claimed that they had seen a serpent-like creature rise out of the waters of Gloucester Harbor. If you have any information about any of these cases or any incident you can send an anonymous text to 274637 TIPWPD. The New Bedford Regional Airport, where a small Cessna plane was lifted off the ground by strong winds during a nor'easter, October, 27, 2021. So, his DNA might have been up there, but I dont know exactly what DNA they did or didnt find.. Every detective in every department has a case that bothers him. Over the years, newspaper stories and barroom talk continued, though. There are 43 victims that shouldnt be forgotten about, the chief said. He [Mr. Scola] admitted being there, said Catherine Wailgum. 20 year old male was shot at 191 Fairhaven Road on 3-11-1951. 23 year old male missing from 63 Eastern Avenue since November of 2005. The suspect vehicle is a small, dark vehicle with a broken window. more Unsolved: Worcester Unsolved: Worcester True Crime 3.6 25 Ratings FEB 14, 2023 In October 2020, authorities reportedly exhumed a body from a Hampden County grave in connection with the more than 27-year-old unsolved homicide. One of the suspects dropped his brown seal colored felt hat, size 7 Skyline model made by Merrimac Hat Co. of Amesbury, MA. The case is still listed as an unresolved murder on the Worcester Police Department's website. 19 year old male was stabbed on 8-21-2008 at 59 N. Ashland Street after a fight broke out at a house party he was attending. He had been at Festa's Dog House on Millbury Street prior to the shooting and there was a large altercation between Wheeler and his friends and members of a local gang. Click on names for more information: See children missing from Worcester County. She was last seen with her husband leaving Barney Googles bar on Washington Street. The name of the deceased and any possible connections to Piirainen was not disclosed. Melendez was last seen returning her work van to Sani-Mate on Shrewsbury Street. Pretty suspicious if you ask us. That is the chiefs reason for calling for the review of the 42 outstanding cases in Worcester. While it's terrible that the crime was never resolved, it's a little impressive that these robbers got away with such a big score. Many times, however, police are concerned about a lack of resources. We all have to get involved to solve this gun violence in this city and in this state.. There was no murder weapon at the scene and police couldnt pin down a motive, said narrator Dan Yeager in episode one. One of the items left by the scene was a poem written by a classmate. The killer was never apprehended, though reports of similar murders in other locations suggest the so-called New Bedford Highway Killer may still be active. Some of the cases have been well publicized, such as the death of Molly Anne Bish, whose remains were found on a wooded hillside in Palmer in 2003, three years after she was abducted from Comins Pond beach in Warren. Maybe this is a little easier than identifying the body, she said. WORCESTER - There are more than 70 active unsolved murders and missing persons cases being investigated by the Worcester Police Department. My understanding is that they were trying to find DNA mixed with her blood, because that couldnt be explained away, Andrew Wailgum said. Darrel Jenkins, Jr. The City of Worcester now offers free home pickup of used or unwanted clothers, textiles and other items through a partnership with Helpsy. WORCESTER- The murder of John E. Volungis Jr. 15 years ago remains one of the city's most provocative mysteries. Gang activity is suspected in this death. However, the individual remained silent throughout the ordeal and left the scene before the couple could speak with him. 326. The Worcester PD updated the list of unresolved cases this month. Its the unknown that eats at you, said Alan Thorpe, Mr. Harkins cousin. 23 year old female was stabbed to death and dumped out of a car at the loading dock at 60 Mason Street on 1-31-1989. It also was the case with the discovery of the bodies of three Worcester prostitutes Betzaida Montalvo, Carmen Rudy and Dinelia Torres in shallow graves in Hudson and Marlboro three years ago. Last seen by his foster mother who failed to report him missing for two days. These and other cases have gone unsolved for years, frustrating friends and family members and challenging investigators to turn up new leads. We have a lot of police resources that are available now in 2017 that didnt exist to the original investigators. For example, little is known about the death of Paul Maiorana, 21, beyond the discovery of his body in the trunk of a car brought to a Worcester tow yard. The Grafton girl disappeared from a Sturbridge cottage she and her family were vacationing at on Aug. 5, 1993. Its not what you expect it to be, said Catherine Wailgum, Candace Scolas sister, of the investigation process. Thats the way the justice system is, unfortunately set up. 17 year old female was sexually assaulted and bludgeoned to death on the railroad tracks near Southgate Street on 10-22-1984. We work the case like it just happened, said Sullivan. State Board Votes 7-4 to Approve Charter School in Worcester. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Such is the hope with the investigation into Mr. Harkins disappearance. On Nov. 15, 1978, loggers walking through the woods off Amherst Road in Granby found the decomposing body of a young woman hidden underneath a log. Between July 1988 and April 1989, the bodies of nine women were found along New Bedford-area highways. Eventually, he said, new evidence may help solve a case, even years after the crime. Armed with electronic candles, a couple of heart shaped balloons and the song Purple Rain, the last movie Gonyea ever saw, the crowd of over a dozen people shared some of their memories. WORCESTER - A true crime, cold case podcast series exploring the dozens of unsolved murders and missing persons cases currently under investigation by the Worcester Police Department starts Season 3 on Feb. 21, 2023. Let us know! These homicides and missing persons cases cover nearly 60 years from 1951 to 2009. FITCHBURG, MA The remains of a person found more than 20 years ago in a wooded area of Hyde Park have been identified as a Fitchburg woman, the Boston Police . Upon listening to the police reports there were two young men that claimed to have killed Travis, his mother, Christi Berry, said. He had been run over by his car, which had been recovered two days later across from 79 Illinois Street. Police said Clark was not the target and was accidentally shot. Theyre older, obviously, but he had nothing in his background that would make it look like someone came to get him, specifically. by Unsolved Worcester. Sometimes reality really is stranger than fiction. 26 year old female was found dead on 2-4-1993, along with Sonia Blanco. 24 Cause of Death. A newer model white sedan with tinted windows was described as the suspect vehicle. 17 year old female was found by her family on 6-6-1989 in Bell Hill Park after being reported missing the day before. City of Worcester News. Name. Its slow with the labs and the reports.. December 20, 2014. According to Berry, the boy who wrote the poem was brought into the police station and questioned, but insisted he wrote the poem two weeks prior to Travis death. Worcester Police Chief Gary J. Gemme stresses that all unsolved cases are open. 28 year old male was stabbed on a Chestnut Street sidewalk by a robber who had fled with his wallet on 9-23-1991. Although her brothers body has never been found, police have asked Mrs. Ramirez to begin the formal process of declaring her brother dead. 20 year old male was shot to death while walking up Pleasant Street in the area of Piedmont Street on 1-3-1996. The Freetown-Fall River State Forest has also been the site of multiple gang-style killings and a number of suicides. 46 year old male was bludgeoned to death in his apartment at 25 Eckman Street on 5-14-1996. At some point or another, you get some sort of connection to him thats there.. Vanessa Teresa Marcotte (June 17, 1989 - August 7, 2016) was a 27-year-old American woman who, while running on a rural road in Princeton, Massachusetts, was assaulted and murdered. So, of course my thinking is you would have to be impaired, hurt, and injured.. Yet technology only goes so far, and in many cases police are left with little but reluctant witnesses and scarce evidence. The new Massachusetts State Police Unresolved Case Unit is undertaking a new push to help break some of the state's toughest cases. 19 year old male was shot dead along with Elizabeth Matos while walking down Dewey Street on 3-15-2001. An investigation continues in each case, police say, stressing theres no such thing as a cold case. We just waited, waited until we heard something, said Gertrude Thorpe, Mr. Harkins aunt. 51 year old male was shot to death inside of Jack and Felicia's Cafe on 10-16-1967. DNA testing can be used at times, and a growing fingerprint database, coupled with technology that allows police to scan fingerprints in a more detailed form, have allowed for closure in some cases. These homicide and missing persons cases cover nearly 70 years from 1951 to 2019. We really had fun.. This is just one of 73 unsolved missing persons and homicide cases currently under investigation by the Worcester Police Department. Alario was involved in the sale of illegal narcotics. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. All Rights Reserved. Officials hope the cards could inspire someone with information to come forward. Investigation revealed that Moreno was involved in selling narcotics. All addicted to drugs - that was the unifying element, Maureen Boyle, author of Shallow Graves a book about the investigation into the New Bedford highway killer, told CBS. And Kawaku Osei-Owusu, 21, and Frank Vanney, 23, were gunned down on Franklin Street two years ago in an execution-style killing, but their killers remain free and police are stumped. Maureen Boyle, author of Shallow Graves a book about the investigation into the New Bedford highway killer, told CBS. And while shows like CSI and NCIS show detectives working with extraordinarily impressive technology and scientific data, what real detectives are working with can be much less sumptuous. Television shows make it appear a detective can solve a case within just a few days, but the reality is it can take up to 20 years or more before a case is solved - if it is solved at all. Smith, a 19-year-old Scotland, Maryland resident, enrolled at Becker College in 2008 to study sports management. Retired Worcester Telegram and Gazette (WTAG) reporter/columnist Dianne Williamson shares her insight on the unsolved murders of Candace Scola, John Volungis, Jr. and Nereida Melendez. Theres a lot more opportunity now than there has been, Chief Gemme said. You really need to comb through your evidence and see if there are any leads.. Maybe it was Kevin, who was 36 when he disappeared from Suneys Pub on Chandler Street in Worcester on Feb. 15, 1994, leaving his wallet and beer on the bar. But nothing ever came. Karina Holmer laughed with friends outside a nightclub in Downtown Boston, marking the last time the 20-year-old Swedish au pair would be seen alive. Unresolved Cases | City of Worcester, MA Home Departments Police Investigations Unresolved Cases Unresolved Cases Help us solve these cases and bring justice to the victims' families! But for the families, the days turn into weeks and the weeks turn into years of heartache. Though Lizzie was ultimately acquitted of the murders, the bulk of local suspicion remained fixed on her until her death. 2023 www.worcestermag.com. Andrew Wailgum said Anthony Scola had been living at the house on Knox Street at the time off and on, and the two were reportedly together the night she was killed. He has a voice we promise you will enjoy listening to. It used to be all families here, LEcuyer said. Who can say what the creature in the harbor may have been, but we certainly don't want to risk running into a sea monster. Details of Memorial for Webster Firefighter Paul Cloutier Announced. The vehicle, a gray 1999 Lexus CS300, was towed from the area of 108 Eastern Avenue prior to his body being discovered. Its draining going through these stories said Yeager in an interview. An autopsy showed she died of asphyxia and neck trauma. At the time of its occurrence, this robbery was the largest cash heist of all time. The City of Worcester now offers free home pickup of used or unwanted clothers, textiles and other items through a partnership with Helpsy. She said Gonyeas mother, Cookie, as they called her, died a few years ago. Or when you go out and talk to the witnesses, you realize that some evidence was overlooked or part of a conversation was not followed up on. The case of Karen Marchionis murder has remained unsolved for 21 years now. 71 year old female was stabbed to death at 11 Salem Street on 11-28-1980. We'll take a mysterious live saving over a mysterious death any way. The killer still has not been found. Calls can also be made to the Worcester Police Detective Bureau at 508-799-8651. Hed go for a walk everyday, and that was about it. Get more stories delivered right to your email. We cant proceed without evidence; thats the hallmark of this office.. This podcast originally aired in December, 2022. 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