Massachusetts has a rich history, but unfortunately, it also has a history of notorious crimes. Here are five high-profile true crime cases that shook the state:
- The Boston Strangler In the early 1960s, a series of murders in the Boston area left the community on edge. Thirteen women were killed by the same perpetrator, who would strangle them with their own clothing. Albert DeSalvo, a handyman, confessed to the murders, but some people still question whether he was the true culprit.
- The Salem Witch Trials One of the most infamous cases in American history, the Salem Witch Trials took place in Massachusetts in the late 17th century. Accusations of witchcraft led to the execution of 20 people, mostly women. The trials were eventually stopped when the community began to question the legitimacy of the proceedings.
- The Boston Marathon Bombing In 2013, the Boston Marathon was the site of a terrorist attack that left three people dead and more than 200 injured. Brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev were responsible for the attack, which sparked a massive manhunt that ended with Tamerlan’s death and Dzhokhar’s capture.
- The Black Dahlia of the East In 1969, the body of a woman was found in the Charles River in Boston. The victim, later identified as Mary Sullivan, was believed to be the last victim of the infamous Boston Strangler. However, some people believe that Sullivan was the victim of a different killer altogether.
- The Murder of Martha Moxley In 1975, 15-year-old Martha Moxley was found bludgeoned to death outside her home in Greenwich, Connecticut. The prime suspect was Michael Skakel, a member of the wealthy Kennedy family. Skakel was eventually convicted of the murder in 2002, but the case remains controversial due to the lack of physical evidence.
These five cases are just a small sample of the high-profile true crime cases that have taken place in Massachusetts. They serve as a reminder that even in the most idyllic of places, there can be darkness lurking beneath the surface.
Leave a comment