I haven’t seen many posts about this one so I thought I would share some. This one is near my home and I’ve always kept an eye on it, also I believe there are some upcoming documentaries about it so hopefully some more attention on this will lead to a break.
This story doesn’t seem to get the same type of coverage I believe it deserves. It is essentially like a Massachusetts version of LISK.
Timeframe-
July 1988-June 1989.
Victims-
9 bodies found, 2 missing and suspected to be linked. Some articles and resources state potentially more.
Some of the victims were linked to either sex work and/or drug usage and last seen in areas linked with both of these. Many believe that because of this the case didn’t receive the attention it deserves.
Suspects -
There have been 3 or 4 suspects linked with this case over the last 30 years.
Suspect 1-Anthony DeGrazia was known to frequent sex workers in the area and had been accused of numerous (not found guilty of these crimes) and committed suicide in strange fashion in the 90’s
Suspect 2-Kenneth Ponte was an attorney that had a somewhat sketchy, drug linked past and had been one of the victims lawyer on an unrelated matter. He was charged but these were later dropped due to insufficient evidence. He moved to Florida around the time these murders were happening and deceased in 2010.
Suspect 3- Daniel Tavares is linked on this case was convicted of killing his mother and at one point claimed responsibility for the highway murders. He has also been charged with 3 other murders. I believe this man is still alive.
Other suspects that have been thrown around include the Lisbon ripper due to the high Portuguese population in the area and the thought that maybe the suspect was a fisherman that traveled back and forth to the homeland.
There are a few other names tossed around including the boyfriend of one of the victims and even people saying maybe it is LISK’s or the Connecticut river valley killer from New Hampshire (also an undercovered case) early crimes but these three are the most commonly linked.
Shockingly There is not a lot of information on this case. While I have found pieces saying some were stabbed and some were strangled I’ve not found an in depth mo or additional information on the crime. If you have any additional articles or resources please feel free to share this has always been a case that interested me and I’d love for it to get more publicity.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/
... keep reading on reddit ➡I have found very little discussion or information recently on the New Bedford Highway Killer. Despite a giant search and so many years of evidence and too many suspects to count, the killer has never been caught. Many places have brief info on the victims, but I thought they deserved a little more. Each have either been involved in prostitution or hard drugs, so many skip over facts about the victims in general. I thought I would start by dedicating a post to the victims, trying to add a human element when it was discoverable. Even while trying, a few of the victims have very little out there about them at all. So here is a start. If you know more, let me know and I will add it. I will move onto the numerous suspects in part two.
BACKGROUND
Between them, they had 15 kids. The 11 victims of the New Bedford Highway Killer have yet to be brought to justice. Two bodies were never found. The women were all involved in drug use or sex work and at least six knew each other. Most were also mothers.
The 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.
TIMING:
It is important to note that this is 1988 where DNA was brand new and rarely used. Using DNA to solve crimes was unheard of in 1988. Police reports were either hand-written or prepared on a manual typewriter. Science is far more superior than it was in 1988. Problems at the crimes scenes, specifically the collection of DNA was difficult. The remains were outdoors for months before being discovered. Additionally crime scenes had been contaminated by animals and the elements, which possibly washed away valuable evidence. In some of the cases, the clothing was on the bodies, while in others it was found at or near the remains. The length of time the victims were out there co
... keep reading on reddit ➡See Part One HERE
POLITICAL CONTEXT
The largest criminal investigation in the region was underway and the DA, Ronald Pina, was under immense pressure to solve the case. In 1990 he was able to secure a grand jury indictment against Kenneth Ponte for one of the murders. Pina has publicly stated he thought Kenneth Ponte was the Highway Killer.
In 1990 Pina lost re-election and Paul Walsh Jr. was elected. Walsh also publicly committed to solve the case, and on March 7, 1991 appointed Paul Buckley as special prosecutor. On July 29, 1991 the murder charge by the special prosecutor against Ponte was dropped due to lack of evidence. The case went cold. Walsh and two of the original investigators believed DeGrazia was the Highway Killer, and by taking his own life, it was an admission of guilt. Nelson Ostiguy, who briefly headed the state police investigative unit assigned to Mr. Walsh’s office, and retired New Bedford Detective Richard Ferreira, both believe Mr. DeGrazia was the highway killer.
In 2006 Samuel Sutter was elected District Attorney, he committed to solving cold cases within Bristol County. Many cases were solved, but not the Highway Killings. Sutter was not convinced that DeGrazia was the killer and felt the evidence doesn't point to that person.
In 2014 Sutter resigned and was elected Mayor of the City of Fall River. Thomas Quinn was appointed District Attorney and remains in office today.
THE SUSPECTS:
I tred to list below every suspect publicly discussed in detail in this case. The suspects were numerous with many have the motive & opportunity, but none were convicted.
Anthony DeGrazia
In May of 1989, Anthony DeGrazia was identified by a locally known New Bedford prostitute by means of a picture provided by a young, inexperienced detective, Loraine Forrest. The prostitute, who described the assailant as having a "flat nose," never named DeGrazia as a positive suspect, but stated that he looked like the man who assaulted her. Anthony DeGrazia was later accused of 17 rapes and assaults on several prostitutes. Based on allegations, DeGrazia was questioned, arrested, and charged with the 17 rapes and assaults, while also being investigated as a suspect in the 9 murders along area highways. DeGrazia was interviewed by the grand jury but was never charged. Special Pros
... keep reading on reddit ➡i just had a bus pull into my lane on the bedford highway while i was parallel to it and push me into oncoming traffic and he actually had the audacity to beep at me. like i get there’s a yield sign but i was already there dude. do they even look before they pull out? i beeped back and he flashed his lights at me lol.
as a fairly new driver i understand this is a halifax right of passage. i feel honoured.
I’ve procrastinated and am now down to the final hours. Has anyone seen sumac on the Bedford Hwy between Joe Howe and Larry Uteck?
It's near the bottom of Nelson Land blvd. I drove by it this morning, it looks close to opening by the activity and displays in the window. It's in the old closed down gas station there on the water side of the Bedford Highway. I'm looking for info on it for a friend/local producer.
Why the hell are they on a timer and not on sensors of some sort?
Any news on the 100+ cars of Sikhs and other Indians protesting/spreading awareness on the Bedford Highway? I was lucky to be going against the parade but they had green flags, all sorts of signs and all I could see if "Farmer Lives Matter".
Does anyone know what happened to the planned development at 205 Bedford highway. I used to live there and moved at the beginning of August because we got notice that construction was starting in October and the building would be torn down. But now I saw them fixing up the inside (painting) when I drove by this evening & it’s posted on Kijiji (link). Anyone know what happened to the plan, last I heard in was approved in August?
