A HORRIFYING discovery has spread fears that a serial killer is on the hunt in New England.
An eighth person’s body was discovered in Springfield, Massachusetts on Tuesday, sparking rumors of being a victim of a suspected serial killer.
Her cause of death has yet to be revealed, The Post reported.
The Hampden District Attorney, Anthony D. Gulluni, reassured the community that each case is under intense investigation with the cooperation of law enforcement.
“Our hearts go out to the families who are grieving.
The death is reigniting rumors that a serial killer is targeting victims in New England.
“We are actively working every lead and deploying every available resource,” Gulluni added.
“At this time, there is no indication that these incidents are connected to each other or are they a part of a larger public safety threat.”
Even after law enforcement authorities debunked the speculations, a Facebook group named “New England Serial Killer” emerged, attracting more than 65,300 members, to speculate about the alleged killer.
The rumors, which police haven’t backed, were spread after seven bodies were found between March and April.
Only three of the eight bodies have been identified, as officials noted that several of the remains were degraded, making it hard to know who the victims are.
The bodies, mainly female, were spread across Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Police called the alleged serial killer an “internet rumor” and noted that there’s no evidence connecting the killings.
“There is no information at this time suggesting any connection to similar remains discoveries, and there is also no known threat to the public at this time,” Connecticut State Police told Fox News.
Pennsylvania-based criminal defense attorney and former Lawrence County District Attorney Matthew Mangino told Fox News that the newly discovered bodies “warrant an investigation.”
“Whether it’s coincidental or not, I think it merits review and investigation, at least,” Mangino said.
“Collaboration between the different jurisdictions to determine whether or not there is some threat out there to individuals, that may be going on as we speak.
“We don’t know that, but I think it does merit that kind of scrutiny.”
IDENTIFIED VICTIMS
One of the identified victims was Paige Fannon, 35, from West Islip, New York.
Fannon was found on March 6 after police discovered her clothing and belongings on the banks of the river.
Timeline of bodies
- March 6: Paige Fannon, 35, from New York, was found in New Haven
- March 6: A hunter discovered human remains in a wooded part of Plymouth, Massachusetts
- March 19: The body of a woman believed to be 40-60 years old is found in a suitcase in Groton, Massachusetts
- March 20: Denise Leary, 59, is found dead in New Haven, Connecticut
- March 26: Michele Romano, 56, is found in Rhode Island months after she went missing
- April 9: Unidentified remains were found in Connecticut
- April 10: Unidentified remains were found in Massachusetts
Other victims include Denise Leary, 59, and Michele Romano, 56.
Leary is a mother of two and vanished in September.
Police later discovered her body in New Haven on March 21.
Romano, from Warwick, Rhode Island, was also declared missing months before her body was found on March 26.
None of the women’s causes of death have been revealed.
“These different jurisdictions need to get together and compare notes and reports. You can initially see if there are any similarities between these deaths,” Mangino continued.
“Were these homicides? I mean, we may find that these are natural deaths or … it could be a suicide, it could be accidental.
“So, the number one issue is: is there enough to determine the cause and manner of death?”
RUMORS DISPELLED
Romano’s family quickly dispelled rumors of the New England murderer.
“In light of the recent comments being made, we know that Michele’s passing is in no way related to any type of serial killer,” the family wrote on Facebook.
“We have complete faith in the Rhode Island State Police and our Private Investigator that the person responsible will be brought to justice sooner rather than later!”
Magino did condemn the “internet sleuths” causing tension online.
“True crime is the hottest thing on television, on podcasts and social media,” Mangino said.
“Certainly, there are times when these amateur sleuths can be helpful to law enforcement, but what it does is it creates a lot of…tension.
“At times it can make things difficult for investigators who are trying to remain open-minded and not create some sort of tunnel vision where, all of a sudden, there’s concern in the community and panic because people believe there’s a serial killer, and they’re calling law enforcement on neighbors because they think they are acting suspicious.”
