Since taking office in 2007, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. has made it a priority to take a fresh look at all the unresolved homicides in the county.
The Unresolved Case Squad within the Massachusetts State Police Detectives Unit was created by District Attorney Early so there are dedicated investigators continuing to work to bring these cases to resolution. Each of these cases represents a victim who deserves justice and a family in need of closure.
The term “cold case” is no longer used by the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office. John Bish, whose 16-year-old daughter was murdered in 2000, talked about how that phrase conjured up an image of dusty files receiving no attention when in fact these cases are being worked on continuously by someone in law enforcement.
John requested that all District Attorney Offices use a more appropriate phrase, and he recommended it be called an “Unresolved Homicide Unit.” The unit was then renamed the “Worcester County District Attorney’s Office Unresolved Homicide Unit.”
It is never too late to pass on information to investigators and we strongly encourage it. We know over time that relationships change, people’s feelings change, and witnesses may be more willing to come forward. Paired with advances in science, our investigators and prosecutors welcome new information as they are driven to solve these cases.
Anyone with information can reach out to Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to our office at 508-453-7589 or WorcesterDAunresolved@mass.gov
This list is routinely reviewed by investigators and updated. Cases for the City of Worcester can be located at: https://www.worcesterma.gov/police/investigations/unresolved-cases
Homicides Currently Under Investigation
Alje Savela – Barre – 8/31/1951
Patrolman (Trooper) Alje Savela was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop on Route 122 in Barre at approximately 8:20 p.m. on Aug. 31, 1951. Patrolman Savela was located by a local resident after he heard gunshots. Savela was found with multiple gunshot wounds and succumbed to his injuries. Patrolman Savela was a member […]
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Patricia Joyce – Gardner – 7/5/1965
On July 5, 1965, police received a phone call stating that the body of a female had been found in a wooded area off a foot path which goes between Park Street and the Heywood Street Extension in Gardner. The body was later identified as Patricia M. Joyce of Gardner. Her mother had reported her […]
Read MoreTheresa Barbone – Millbury – 4/25/1967
A 55-year-old woman was found deceased in the basement of her Millbury home on April 25, 1967. Anyone with information can reach out to Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to our office at 508-453-7589 or WorcesterDAunresolved@mass.gov
Read MoreDavid Larochelle – Southbridge – 6/17/1968
On June 17, 1968, at 7:15 p.m., the mother of 7-year-old David Larochelle reported him missing. As a result of this missing persons report, a search of his neighborhood was conducted by police, which resulted in the body being located at about 8:10 p.m. (approximately one hour after the initial call). The body of the […]
Read MoreDonna Dana – Millbury – 9/22/1970
On Sept. 22, 1970, Donna Dana was found murdered in her Millbury residence. Anyone with information can reach out to Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to our office at 508-453-7589 or WorcesterDAunresolved@mass.gov
Read MoreMark Twohey – Gardner – 2/21/1973
On Feb. 21, 1973, the body of a 19-year-old male was found by a man who was operating a snowmobile on his pond when he discovered the human remains. The body was located on the edge of Raymond Street and about three-quarters of a mile from the intersection of Kelton Street in Gardner. Mark Twohey’s […]
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Maureen and Jennifer Moynihan – Rutland – 6/5/1973
On June 5, 1973, 32-year-old Maureen Moynihan and her 4-year-old daughter Jennifer were reported missing after they failed to return to their Rutland residence. On June 6, 1973, the remains of Maureen and her daughter Jennifer were located in a wooded area off Route 122A in Rutland. The Moynihan’s deaths were both ruled homicides. Anyone […]
Read MoreDebra Johnson and Jo-Anne Muldoon – Fitchburg – 9/30/1973
On September 30, 1973, the bodies of Debra A. Johnson and Jo-Anne Muldoon were found in an apartment (#14) at 58 Intervale Road, Fitchburg. Debra and Jo-Anne were roommates and had recently moved into the apartment together. Both deaths were ruled homicides. Anyone with information can reach out to Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to […]
Read MoreMarcia Tyman – Harvard – 10/16/1973
On Oct. 16, 1973, the remains of 18-year-old Marcia Tyman of Newton, Massachusetts were located in a rest area off Route 2 in Harvard. Tyman’s death was ruled a homicide. Anyone with information can reach out to Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to our office at 508-453-7589 or WorcesterDAunresolved@mass.gov
Read MoreSamuel Mason – Leicester – 10/18/1974
Samuel Mason, 58, was last seen on Oct. 18, 1974. Two women discovered his body in a wooded area of Leicester on Oct. 23, 1974. Mason had multiple injuries and his death was ruled a homicide. Anyone with information can reach out to Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to our office at 508-453-7589 or WorcesterDAunresolved@mass.gov
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