Bristol County District Attorney’s
Unsolved Cases
Welcome to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Unsolved Cases web page. Our office, with the support of the state police and all the local police departments in Bristol County, are committed to obtaining justice in these matters. We have created this website to highlight the cases that remain unsolved in Bristol County in the hopes that new information or new leads can be developed with the public’s assistance. Unsolved cases are an open wound to both the families of the victims and the communities in which they occur.
If you have any information about these cases, even if you feel the information is insignificant, we urge you to reach out to Massachusetts State Police Lt. Ann Marie Robertson at (508) 961-1918 or email Lt. Robertson at AnnMarie.Robertson@pol.state.ma.us
Massachusetts State Police can also be contacted directly at (855) MA-SOLVE (855-627-6583) or by email at mspunresolved@pol.state.ma.us
This list will be updated as additional information becomes available so please check back frequently.
| MARCUS ROBERTS | |
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On Thursday, August 17th, 2017 at approximately 2:45 a.m., New Bedford Police responded to reports of shots fired on Acushnet Avenue, just outside of the Whiskey Lounge Bar (1669 Acushnet Avenue). New Bedford Police arrived on scene and found the victim, 23-year-old Marcus Roberts, lying in the street suffering from multiple gun shot wounds. A white colored sedan was seen leaving the scene moments after the shooting. |
| JUSTIN ORTIZ (SOLVED) | |
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On December 27, 2016 Justin Ortiz was found in the second floor hallway of 51 Tallman Street in New Bedford suffering from a gunshot wound. Ortiz was later pronounced deceased at St. Luke’s Hospital. Witnesses indicated that several individuals were seen leaving the scene shortly after the shooting.
On July 1, 2021, Joshua Joel Lobo was indicted for involuntary manslaughter and armed robbery in connection with the death of Justin Ortiz. Mr. Lobo was arraigned in Fall River Superior Court on August 27, 2021. His case remains pending and is currently awaiting trial. |
| PATRICK ALVES | |
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On January 16, 2014 at around 1:15 a.m., New Bedford Police received multiple 911 calls regarding shots fired in the area of 153 Myrtle Street. When first responders arrived on scene, they located the victim, 23-year-old Patrick Alves, lying on the sidewalk in front of 153 Myrtle Street. The victim was suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. |
| EDSON RAMOS | |
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On August 17, 2014 at around 2:25 am, Edson A. Ramos, was found deceased in a grassy area north of the Route 195 overpass on Route 18 in New Bedford. The witness who discovered the victim’s body told police he heard three gunshots about 20 minutes prior to locating the deceased. The victim was last seen alive at 1 am on the morning of the murder walking along Acushnet Avenue towards the scene of the homicide. |
| SCOTT SOUZA | |
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On July 19, 2013 at around 3 a.m., New Bedford Police received 911 calls regarding a man being shot at 25 Austin Street. When first responders arrived, they located the victim, 29-year-old Scott Souza, and rushed him to an area hospital where he died later that same morning. |
| TRACEY MONTEIRO | |
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On November 27, 2011, Tracy Monteiro was found shot in the driveway of 120 Locust Street in New Bedford. He was arriving home from a party around 5:30 am when he was shot. |
| VINCENT WADLINGTON | |
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Vincent Wadlington, 25, was found dead on Feb. 17, 2011, on railroad tracks in the area of Danforth Street, near the intersection of Durfee and Odd streets in Fall River. Detectives said Mr. Wadlington was last seen about 10 p.m. on the night before his murder in the area of President Avenue and North Main Street. |
| TIMOTHY COWART | |
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On January 28, 2011, New Bedford Police received calls about shots fired at 42 Thompson Street. When they arrived they found Timothy Cowart lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound. |
| RICARDO ENCARNACION | |
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On October 30, 2010, Ricardo Encarnacion was found shot on the porch of 325 North Front Street in New Bedford. Witnesses reported seeing a vehicle leaving the area after the shooting. |
| ANGEL ROBLES RIVERA | |
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Angel Robles Rivera, 33, of 275 County St. Fall River, died after being shot in the head in his home on July 9, 2010. Police said two men were seen leaving the area in a dark gray or silver SUV immediately after the shooting. |
| PAUL ELIAS | |
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On June 14, 2009, Paul Elias was punched outside the Regal Beagle Sports Bar and Grille on Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford. Elias fell to the sidewalk and lost consciousness after a fight inside the bar spilled outside. He was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. |
| ERIC SULLIVAN | |
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On Wednesday October 29, 2008 at approximately 9:30 PM, Fall River Police responded to a report of an injured man down in need of medical attention at the intersection of Morgan Street and 5th Street. Eric Sullivan was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he succumbed to a gunshot wound. |
| DEVON HODO | |
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Devon Hodo, 16, was stabbed June 8, 2008, during a confrontation at Memorial Park in Taunton. There were several witnesses to the stabbing. |
| KEVIN and SHAWN VARGAS | |
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On February 24, 2008 Kevin and Shawn Vargas were found shot to death inside their apartment at 729 Somerset Ave in Taunton. |
| WILLIAM PAYNE | |
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On February 3, 2008, William Payne was shot and killed in a vehicle on Potomska Street near Purchase Street in New Bedford. He was a passenger in a silver BMW. |
| JOHN OLIVEIRA (SOLVED) | |
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Derek Woollam was charged and convicted for the execution style murder of John Oliveira who was shot several times in July of 2006 at Oliveira’s home on GAR Highway in Swansea. In February of 2009, Wollam was convicted of First Degree murder and is now serving a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. |
| SUZANNE ALVARADO-SANCHEZ | |
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On October 17, 2005, Suzanna Sanchez-Alvarado was found beaten to death on the Route 88 on-ramp to Interstate 195 eastbound in Westport. She was last seen in New Bedford. |
| ANTONIO SEMEDO (SOLVED) | |
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Reggie Greene was charged with the drive-by shooting of Antonio Semedo who was shot dead as he drove along Route 18 in New Bedford in June 2006. Greene was later convicted of Manslaughter for his role in the Semedo murder and was sentenced to 9-10 years in the state prison. |
| BERNADETTE DEPINA | |
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On May 25, 2006, Bernadette DePina was found shot to death in her bedroom at her house on Ash Street in New Bedford. |
| SUZY GOULART (SOLVED) | |
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Jermaine Holley was charged in 2007 with the brutal stabbing murder of Suzy Goulart in April of 2005. Her body was discovered in her Fall River apartment by Firefighters who were responding to calls of a fire. In December of 2011, Holley was convicted of First Degree murder and is now serving a Life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. |
| ASHLEY SILVA | |
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On July 8, 2005 the body of Ashley Silva was found at the intersection of Ruth and Viall Streets in New Bedford. |
| DANA HAYWOOD (SOLVED) | |
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John Burgos was charged with the July 4, 2005 shooting death of Dana Haywood in New Bedford. Burgos was charged in 2009 when investigators developed new evidence that established the killing was retaliation for his gang. Burgos was convicted in April of 2016 and is currently serving a 15-17 year sentence in the state prison for his role in the killing. |
| ANTONIO FRIAS | |
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On January 30, 2005, Antonio Frias, 32, was found dead from a single gunshot wound to the back of the head at 297 Swansom Road in Swansea. |
| JONATHAN BUTLER | |
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On January 29, 2005, Jonathan Butler was shot on Smith Street in New Bedford. Witnesses indicated that an individual approached Butler, while he was outside his vehicle, and shot him. |
| CHRISTOPHER BARROS (SOLVED) | |
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Fagbemi Miranda was charged with the October 2005 shooting murder of Christopher Barros in New Bedford. In June of 2013, Miranda was convicted of First Degree murder and is now serving a Life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. His brother, Wayne Miranda had previously been convicted of Second Degree murder for his participation in this murder. |
| CECIL LOPES III | |
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On October 31, 2004, New Bedford Police received a call of shots fired on Chancery Street near United Front Housing Project. When police arrived they found Cecil Lopes lying on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds. Witnesses stated that shots were fired from a vehicle. |
| CLINTON DUNSTON | |
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On October 5, 2004, Clinton Dunston was shot while sitting in car parked outside 5 Morgan Terrace in South Central in New Bedford. Witnesses indicated a vehicle was seen leaving the scene. |
| JAMES C. MARVEL | |
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On September 2, 2004 James Marvel (44) was found stabbed to death in his Taunton apartment at 8 Kilmer Avenue. Mr. Marvel was found by concerned co-workers who checked on him after he missed a day of work. |
| ROBERT GREENE | |
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On April 24, 2004, Robert Greene Jr. was shot on the front porch of his mother’s home at 111 Smith St. in New Bedford. Witnesses indicated a vehicle was seen leaving the scene. |
| RAYMOND ANDRADE | |
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On January 25, 2004, New Bedford Police received several calls about shots fired in the area of Griffin Court. When they responded they found Raymond P. Andrade lying in the street shot near Acushnet Avenue and Griffin Court in New Bedford. |
| ALBERTO ‘TITO’ GONZALEZ (SOLVED) | |
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Shawn M. Hunt and John Michael Pittman were charged in January of 2009 with the November 2003 drive-by shooting murder of Alberto “Tito” Gonzalez in New Bedford. Hunt was later convicted of Second Degree Murder and is now serving a life sentence. Pittman was convicted of Manslaughter for his role in the killing. |
| RONALD BROOKS | |
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On July 8th, 2003, Ronald Brooks was shot as he ran from a drive by shooting in Navajo Court in New Bedford. Unknown if Mr. Brooks was the intended target. |
| ALVIS DEXTER JAMES | |
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On March 30, 2003 at approximately 1:15 AM, Dexter James was shot and killed inside the Neutral Zone (Homeward Bound Lounge) at 1864 Purchase Street in New Bedford. James was involved in a struggle with several other males when he was shot. Several witnesses observed the struggle and heard the gunshot. |
| MARLENE ROSE (SOLVED) | |
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John Loflin was charged with the strangulation death of Marlene Rose in July 2002 in New Bedford. Loflin was living in Tennessee when DNA evidence collected from her body linked him to the crime. In November of 2013, Loflin was convicted of Second Degree murder and is now serving a Life sentence in prison. He was also convicted of an unrelated rape case from 1997. |
| IVANDRO CORREIA | |
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On December 5, 2001, Ivandro Correira was shot at East Rodney French Boulevard and Davis Street. Mr. Correira was driven to St. Luke’s Hospital where he died of his wounds. |
| MARCUS CRUZ | |
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On September 9, 2001 at approximately 2:45 AM, Marcus Cruz was shot at the corner of Chancery and Kempton Streets. Mr. Cruz was located on the sidewalk behind a van and was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. |
| PAUL FERGUSON | |
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Paul Ferguson was reported missing from Pawtucket, RI on October 30, 1995. His body was found in Rehoboth on August 1, 2001. |
| ORANUCH B. SOUSA | |
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On Saturday June 16, 2001 at approximately 1:30 PM, the body of Oranuch Sousa was discovered in an open grassy field at the end of Griffin Street in Fall River. |
| CLIFF BARRYMORE | |
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On March 26, 2001, Clifford Barrymore was shot and killed in his apartment at The Willows Apartments on Tarkin Hill Road in New Bedford. |
| ROSE MARIE MONIZ (SOLVED) | |
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On March 23, 2001 Rose Moniz was found by her father bludgeoned to death in her home at 3448 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford. |
| DEBRA MELO | |
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Debra Melo was last seen in Weymouth between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. on June 20, 2000. Her husband, Luis Melo, was the last one to see her. He said they got into an argument while he was driving and she demanded to be let out of the car on Route 18, south of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station. She has never been heard from again. |
| MARIA ‘TYNEE’ MENDES | |
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On October 12, 2000 Maria Mendes was found dead in the bathroom of her first-floor apartment at 71 Chancery Street in New Bedford. Relatives had not heard from Maria in a few days and went to check on her when they found her. |
| MITCHELL NORTON-GULLENS | |
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On August 10, 1999 Attleboro Police were called for an infant not breathing. The infant had multiple traumatic injuries and his manner of death was ruled a homicide. |
| ISMAEL MARTINEZ | |
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On January 19, 1999, Ismael Martinez, DOB 10-3-71, was found lying in the hallway of 323 North Front Street in New Bedford with a gun shot wound. Mr. Martinez was transported to St Luke’s Hospital and later pronounced dead. |
| BRIAN TUPAJ | |
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On Saturday, July 4, 1998, Fall River Police were dispatched to Albion and Lexington Street in Fall River for a report of a gunshot. A male later identified as Brian Tupaj, DOB 2-4-74, was found lying on the street with a severe head injury. The victim was pronounced dead at Rhode Island Hospital at 5:31 a.m. Two males were seen running from the scene. |
| JANE DOE | |
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On October 30, 1996 an unidentified woman’s body was found floating near a Pope’s Island dock in New Bedford. The women had been shot. The women is referred to as Pope’s Island Jane Doe and is believed to be European. |
| RICHARD WOLLOFF | |
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Richard Wolloff was found deceased in his residence at 49 Dunham Street in Attleboro on September 9, 1996. |
| ANGEL VASQUEZ | |
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On September 29, 1995 Angel Vasquez was stabbed near a cemetery on Plainville Road in New Bedford. He was pronounced dead at St. Luke’s Hospital. |
| PETER KENHAM | |
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On July 26, 1995 Peter Kenham was found stabbed numerous times in his home located at 966 Tradewind Street in New Bedford. |
| MARK PIERCE | |
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On May 20, 1994 Mark Pierce was found deceased on the porch of 246 Mt. Pleasant Street in New Bedford. |
| JOSEPH MEDEIROS | |
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On February 24, 1994 the body of Joseph Medeiros was found in the Cook Pond (Henry Street) area of Fall River. |
| ARNOLD ANDREWS | |
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On December 19, 1993 Arnold Andrews was shot and killed on a city street in New Bedford. |
| KEITH AMBROSE | |
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On December 24, 1991 nine-month-old Keith Ambrose was killed in Fall River. |
| ISMAEL RENCINOS-GARCIA (SOLVED) | |
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On November 16, 1991 Ismael Rencinos-Garcia was killed during a fight in the area of Bank and Dean Streets in Attleboro.
On December 14, 2022 Mario Garcia was arrested for the homicide of Ismael Recinos-Garcia in Iztape, Guatemala. Mr. Garcia will be extradited to the US. |
| BRENT DAVIS (SOLVED) | |
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On October 25, 1991 Brent Davis was killed near a residence on Yale Street in New Bedford. |
| HOWARD FERRINI | |
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On August 22, 1991 the body of Howard Ferrini was found inside of a vehicle parked at Logan Airport in Boston. Mr. Ferrini was a resident of Berkley, and had been missing for several days before his body was discovered. |
| CARLOS HERNANDEZ | |
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On July 19, 1991 the body of Carlos Hernandez was found in a wooded area off of Henry Street in Fall River. Mr. Hernandez was from Cranston, RI. |
| NADINE MENDONCA | |
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Nadine Mendonca was last seen leaving Jake’s Saloon in Fall River on July 12, 1991. Her car, a 1980 Monte Carlo, was located in New Bedford on July 28, 1991. Blood was found in the vehicle. Ms. Mendonca has never been found. |
| ERIC WAITE | |
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On May 7, 1991 Eric Waite was found stabbed in a wooded area behind the Mansfield Police station. |
| LEO PROVENCAL | |
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On January 24, 1990 Leo Provencal was killed in a rooming house on Dean Street in Attleboro. |
| CHARLES MELLO | |
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On June 22, 1989 the body of Charles Mello was found in the area of Sycamore Street in Fairhaven. |
| THOMAS PICARD | |
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On January 7, 1989 the body of Thomas Picard was found in the area of Cook Pond in Fall River. |
| SANDRA BOTELHO | |
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Highway killing victim. Body found April 24, 1989, along I-195 in Marion. |
| MARY ROSE SANTOS | |
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Highway killing victim. Body found March 30, 1989, approximately 25 feet off of Route 88 in Westport. |
| ROBIN RHODES | |
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Highway killing victim. Body found March 28, 1989 off of Route 140 southbound in New Bedford. |
| ROCHELLE CLIFFORD | |
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Highway killing victim. Body found December 10, 1988 in a former gravel quarry off I-195 Reed Road exit in Dartmouth. |
| DEBORAH MCCONNELL | |
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Highway killing victim. Body found December 1, 1988 on Route 140 northbound in New Bedford. |
| DAWN MENDES | |
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Highway Killing Victim. Body found November 29, 1988 along the north side of Reed Road I-195 westbound ramp in Dartmouth. |
| DEBRA DEMELLO | |
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Highway killing victim. Body found November 8, 1988 inside the circle of the on-ramp from the Reed Road I-195 exit in Dartmouth. |
| CHRISTINA MONTEIRO | |
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Possible highway killing victim. Last seen in May 1988. Ms. Monteiro has never been found. |
| NANCY PAIVA | |
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Highway killing victim. Body found July 30, 1988 on I-195 westbound in Westport. |
| DEBRA MEDEIROS | |
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Highway killing victim. Body found July 2, 1988 on the east side of Route 140 Northbound in New Bedford. |
| MARILYN ROBERTS CARDOZA | |
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Possible highway killing victim. Last seen in April 1988. Ms. Cardoza has never been found. |
| GAYLE BOTELHO (SOLVED) | |
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Daniel Tavares was charged with stabbing death of Gayle Botelho who disappeared on October 27, 1988 in Fall River. Her body was not discovered for 12 years, when in 2000, it was discovered in a shallow grave in the backyard of a home that Tavares used to live in. In December of 2015, Tavares was convicted of First Degree murder and sentenced to Life in prison without the possibility of parole. At the time of this conviction, Tavares was already serving a life sentence in the State of Washington for the 2007 slaying of a young married couple. He had also previously served almost 20 years for the stabbing death of his mother. |
| DAWN COPELAND | |
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On June 26, 1988 the body of Dawn Copeland was found at a beach in Dartmouth. Her death was ruled a homicide. |
| ANTHONY CABINO | |
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On March 12, 1988 the body of Anthony Cabino was found next to a roadway in Fall River. |
| ALFRED BANKS | |
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On November 24, 1987 Alfred Banks was killed in the area of Harvard and Yale Streets in New Bedford. |
| JOANNE ANDRADE | |
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On Sunday, October 25, 1987, Joanne Andrade was found in the water south of State Pier in New Bedford. Her death was ruled a homicide. She was last seen on Friday near a North End bar. |
| LILLIE JONES | |
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On September 18, 1987 the body of Lillie Jones was found alongside Interstate 95 in Attleboro. |
| WAYNE TRIGGS | |
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On October 28, 1986 the body of Wayne Triggs was discovered in the Westport River (adjacent to 70 Cherry and Webb Lane), 75 feet offshore. He was last seen at Alhambra’s nightclub, Rt 177 in Westport. |
| DOROTHY DANIELSON | |
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On July 16, 1986 the body of Dorothy Danielson was discovered in the area of Herman Melville Blvd. in the city of New Bedford. |
| MARILYN BURTON | |
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On April 6, 1985 the body of Marilyn Burton was discovered in the area of Chestnut Street in the town of Rehoboth. |
| MARNI LARKIN ROY (SOLVED) | |
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Robert Roy was charged in October of 2007 with the murder of his estranged wife, Marni Larkin-Roy, who disappeared in Acushnet in March of 1986. Her body was discovered 4 years later bound and submerged in a quarry in Dartmouth. In February of 2010, Roy was convicted of First Degree murder and is now serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. |
| CHARLENE GARZA | |
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On February 8, 1986 the body of Charlene “Lynn” Garza was found in the rear property of 1940 County Street in Taunton. Garza had been reported missing to Taunton Police by her family. |
| SHIRLEY PARTIN | |
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On September 2, 1985 the body of Shirley Partin was found at 281 Herman Melville Blvd in New Bedford. Her death was ruled a homicide. |
| DEBORAH PERRY | |
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Deborah Perry was reported missing from Fall River. On December 31, 1985 her torso was found in a wooded area in Westport. |
| JOHN MOURA | |
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On May 30th, 1985 John Moura was found shot sitting in his taxi at Fort Rodman in New Bedford. He had driven a taxi for 13 years. His taxi and meter were still running when he was found. |
| RONALD CRUZ | |
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On January 13, 1985 Ronald Cruz was assaulted in the city of New Bedford, and he died from his injuries approximately one week later. |
| JOHN “TILLIE” GOMES | |
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On November 21, 1984 John “Tillie” Gomes went missing from Providence, RI. His body was found April 9, 1985 in the woods off Rt 195 in Westport. |
| ROGER LIZOTTE | |
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On February 19, 1984 the body of 49-year-old Pawtucket, Rhode Island resident Roger N. Lizotte was discovered in the woods near the West Street pumping station in Attleboro. Mr. Lizotte, who had last been seen approximately two weeks earlier, was observed to have been the victim of a beating. |
| CHERYL LECORNEC | |
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On September 17, 1980 the body of Cheryl LeCornec was found outdoors in Berkley. She had been missing since May 29, 1980. |
| MARGARET PIZIO | |
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On August 20, 1979 the body of Margaret Pizio was found at the Susse Chalet Motor Lodge and Inn located in Seekonk. |
| IVY ROBINSON | |
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On December 22, 1978 the body of Ivy Robinson was found in her home in New Bedford. |
| CATHERINE SPROUL | |
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On December 2, 1978 15-year-old Catherine Sproul was found deceased in her home at 105 Paul Bunker Drive in Taunton. |
| DEBRA COELHO | |
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On February 5, 1977 Debra Coelho was reported missing by her mother to New Bedford Police. On October 19, 1978 her remains were found in a wooded area off of Albro Avenue in Dartmouth. |
| KENNETH ARSENAULT JR. | |
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On February 21, 1978 New Bedford Police responded to the area of North Front and Sawyer Streets in New Bedford. Kenneth Arsenault Jr. informed police that he had been stabbed by a black male. The victim was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. |
| BEATRIZ CUNHA | |
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On October 4, 1977 the body of Beatriz Cunha was found in her house, 112 Winterville Road in New Bedford. |
| MARY SILVEIRA | |
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On January 15, 1976 the body of Mary Silveira was found in her home in Fairhaven. |
| JOAQUIM “JACK” PERRY | |
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Mr. Perry was last seen leaving his house on October 4, 1975. His body was later found in a field off of New Plainville Road in New Bedford on October 19, 1975 |