Serial killer fears mount as Massachusetts woman found dead off bike path
Massachusetts authorities are currently investigating the death of a woman found unresponsive off a bike path in Springfield. The Springfield Police Department responded to reports of an unresponsive person near a bike path at the 1500 block of Hall of Fame Avenue, where they discovered the woman who was pronounced dead shortly after.
The SPD Homicide Unit, under the direction of Captain Trent Duda, is conducting an unattended death investigation in conjunction with the Hampden DA Murder Unit. An autopsy by the Medical Examiner will determine the cause of the woman’s death.
The woman’s death comes at a time when rumors of a possible New England serial killer are circulating online following the deaths of seven and now eight people, mostly women, between March and April in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. However, as of now, authorities have not announced any connection between the eight victims’ deaths.
The rumors began on a Facebook group called “New England Serial Killer,” which has since changed its name due to Facebook regulations. Human remains have been found in various locations across Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts over the past two months. Some social media users speculate that the discovery of female remains in these neighboring states may indicate a serial killer.
Connecticut State Police have stated that there is no information suggesting a connection between the remains discovered in Connecticut and the deaths in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Peter Valentin, chair of the Forensic Science Department at the University of New Haven, emphasized that the recent death in Springfield is suggestive of a recent event, unlike the other cases attributed to the New England serial killer.
Authorities are still working to identify the victims found in the three New England states, with some remains being intact while others are degraded. Springfield police have not yet determined if the woman’s death was a homicide, and Valentin noted that the language used in police press releases may be intentional to avoid feeding into the intense scrutiny surrounding suspicious deaths in New England.
At least four of the victims in these cases have been identified as women, with police believing the victim found in Killingly, Connecticut, was also a woman in her 40s to 60s. The New England Serial Killer Facebook group has seen a significant increase in members this month, reflecting the growing concern over these deaths.
Searches for “New England serial killer” have spiked on Google, indicating the widespread interest and fear surrounding these cases. As investigations continue, authorities are working to determine the cause of death for the woman found in Springfield and any potential links to the other victims in New England.
