Southcoast Murders & Mysteries
Southcoast Murders & Mysteries, established in 2008, is based in New Bedford Massachusetts. We focus our interests on investigating and researching solved murders, unsolved murders, mysteries, unusual legends and history the Greater New Bedford area. We use verified evidence to accurately document the cases. Our research into the cases at times requires very strict confidentiality and strong partnerships. Information used comes from many sources, including public information, from family and investigators.
Southcoast Murders & Mysteries, established in 2008, is based in New Bedford Massachusetts. We focus our interests on investigating and researching solved murders, unsolved murders, mysteries, unusual legends and history the Greater New Bedford area. We use verified evidence to accurately document the cases. Our research into the cases at times requires very strict confidentiality and strong partnerships. Information used comes from many sources, including public information, from family and investigators.
We hope you find our website to be a valuable resource in your search for information.
Solved Murders
Why write about solved murders ? Why do they matter anymore ? Well, they do matter. These murders are forgotten and lost to history but are significant today. Perhaps the person(s) involved, the location of the murder, or even the murder itself is noteworthy.
Unsolved Murders
These crimes should never be forgotten. Today, as time goes by and leads dry up, official resources are often diverted to newer cases. Over time these cases become stagnant and are not able to be actively investigated. The passage of time sometimes helps with for new information. Relationships deteriorate, friendships wane, people find religion, guilt sets in, people talk. All of these factors can result in “new” sources of information. Although we frequently hear of old cases being solved, it is usually a result of DNA advances, not active investigation. Family members have been waiting years and decades for answers to how and why their loved ones have been murdered. These families have been patient throughout the years, only to be told "we are working on it". The system has no way of proving law enforcement is even trying to solve these cases.
The Southcoast area has 91 unsolved murders from 1975-2017. New Bedford has the most unsolved at fifty (50), Fall River has ten (10), Taunton and Westport each have five (5), Dartmouth has four (4), Fairhaven, Berkley, Rehoboth have two (2), and finally Swansea and Seekonk each have one (1).
DNA Testing: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has failed to collect DNA samples from between 10,000 and 15,000 convicted felons. The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security is working with the agencies whose responsibility is to collect the DNA sample — the Department of Correction, County Sheriffs, the Trial Court and Probation Department. By state law, anyone who is convicted of a felony must submit their DNA to the state, where it can then be compared to DNA from other unsolved crimes.
In Bristol County the backlog of uncollected DNA is about 600 people, about 200 of whom are dead. The state medical examiner is working on obtaining those samples.
Serial Killers
The Southcoast area has a history of having a few serial killers. The F.B.I. defines serial killings as: "A series of two or more murders, committed as separate events, usually, but not always by one offender alone". Most serial killings involve sexual contact with the victim(s). The motives of serial killers can include anger, thrill-seeking, financial gain, and attention seeking. The murders may be attempted or completed in a similar fashion. The victims may have something in common, for example, demographic profile, appearance, gender or race.
Missing
This section is keep the names and faces of those reported missing in the public. We have learned some people go missing due to a criminal element and some people go missing to start a new life under a new identity.
Unsolved Crimes
There are many unsolved crimes within the Southcoast. We highlight some of those cases.
Mysteries
Mysteries are something that is a secret, something that has no clear explanation, or something difficult to understand or explain. Mysteries are unexplained paranormal activity.
Solved Murders
Why write about solved murders ? Why do they matter anymore ? Well, they do matter. These murders are forgotten and lost to history but are significant today. Perhaps the person(s) involved, the location of the murder, or even the murder itself is noteworthy.
Unsolved Murders
These crimes should never be forgotten. Today, as time goes by and leads dry up, official resources are often diverted to newer cases. Over time these cases become stagnant and are not able to be actively investigated. The passage of time sometimes helps with for new information. Relationships deteriorate, friendships wane, people find religion, guilt sets in, people talk. All of these factors can result in “new” sources of information. Although we frequently hear of old cases being solved, it is usually a result of DNA advances, not active investigation. Family members have been waiting years and decades for answers to how and why their loved ones have been murdered. These families have been patient throughout the years, only to be told "we are working on it". The system has no way of proving law enforcement is even trying to solve these cases.
The Southcoast area has 91 unsolved murders from 1975-2017. New Bedford has the most unsolved at fifty (50), Fall River has ten (10), Taunton and Westport each have five (5), Dartmouth has four (4), Fairhaven, Berkley, Rehoboth have two (2), and finally Swansea and Seekonk each have one (1).
DNA Testing: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has failed to collect DNA samples from between 10,000 and 15,000 convicted felons. The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security is working with the agencies whose responsibility is to collect the DNA sample — the Department of Correction, County Sheriffs, the Trial Court and Probation Department. By state law, anyone who is convicted of a felony must submit their DNA to the state, where it can then be compared to DNA from other unsolved crimes.
In Bristol County the backlog of uncollected DNA is about 600 people, about 200 of whom are dead. The state medical examiner is working on obtaining those samples.
Serial Killers
The Southcoast area has a history of having a few serial killers. The F.B.I. defines serial killings as: "A series of two or more murders, committed as separate events, usually, but not always by one offender alone". Most serial killings involve sexual contact with the victim(s). The motives of serial killers can include anger, thrill-seeking, financial gain, and attention seeking. The murders may be attempted or completed in a similar fashion. The victims may have something in common, for example, demographic profile, appearance, gender or race.
Missing
This section is keep the names and faces of those reported missing in the public. We have learned some people go missing due to a criminal element and some people go missing to start a new life under a new identity.
Unsolved Crimes
There are many unsolved crimes within the Southcoast. We highlight some of those cases.
Mysteries
Mysteries are something that is a secret, something that has no clear explanation, or something difficult to understand or explain. Mysteries are unexplained paranormal activity.
Psychologically Impacted Home Disclosure
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93 Section 114: Massachusetts Real Estate Transactions; disclosure; psychologically impacted property.
The fact or suspicion that real property may be or is psychologically impacted shall not be deemed to be a material fact required to be disclosed in a real estate transaction. “Psychologically impacted” shall mean an impact being the result of facts or suspicions including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) that an occupant of real property is now or has been suspected to be infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or any other disease which reasonable medical evidence suggests being highly unlikely to be transmitted through the occupying of a dwelling;
(b) that the real property was the site of a felony, suicide or homicide; and
(c) that the real property has been the site of an alleged para-psychological or supernatural phenomenon.
No cause of action shall arise or be maintained against a seller or lessor of real property or a real estate broker or salesman, by statute or at common law, for failure to disclose to a buyer or tenant that the real property is or was psychologically impacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this section shall not authorize a seller, lessor or real estate broker or salesman to make a misrepresentation of fact or false statement.
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93 Section 114: Massachusetts Real Estate Transactions; disclosure; psychologically impacted property.
The fact or suspicion that real property may be or is psychologically impacted shall not be deemed to be a material fact required to be disclosed in a real estate transaction. “Psychologically impacted” shall mean an impact being the result of facts or suspicions including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) that an occupant of real property is now or has been suspected to be infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or any other disease which reasonable medical evidence suggests being highly unlikely to be transmitted through the occupying of a dwelling;
(b) that the real property was the site of a felony, suicide or homicide; and
(c) that the real property has been the site of an alleged para-psychological or supernatural phenomenon.
No cause of action shall arise or be maintained against a seller or lessor of real property or a real estate broker or salesman, by statute or at common law, for failure to disclose to a buyer or tenant that the real property is or was psychologically impacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this section shall not authorize a seller, lessor or real estate broker or salesman to make a misrepresentation of fact or false statement.
Peter Johnson & George Fletcher 1891 Solved
On June 8, 1891, Peter Johnson (45) and George Fletcher were playing cards and drinking whiskey at Matthews’ saloon in New Bedford when they were greeted by a young white man, later identified as Charles J. Tighe (29). They shared some drinks, and then the trio left together about 5PM on Peter's boat to go lobstering.
On June 9 1891 around 9AM Joseph Hamel and George Frates were quahogging in the Acushnet River.
They noticed a young man standing on a boulder on Egg Island, later identified as Charles Tighe, waving to attract their attention. As they approached the man, he asked for a ride to the shore, offering to pay then $1.50 for the inconvenience. Hamel and Frates agreed, and transported the young man to the Fairhaven shore, where the young man then admitted to having no money, but stated to them "Now, you go back and look after my boat”.
Hamel and Frates returned to Egg Island where they discovered a mutilated body lying next to a boat. The victim, later identified as Peter Johnson (45), was “terribly hacked about the head” with a rusty lathing hatchet.
A week later, the body of George Fletcher was discovered floating in the harbor with similar injuries.
Peter E. Johnson (1838-1891) Victim
Peter Johnson was a Wampanoag, and a Chilmark native. As a young man, Peter had two (2) interactions with law enforcement. In 1858, he and James Diamond of Gay Head were arrested for breaking into Willam Manter’s grocery store at Roaring Brook and stealing 50 pounds of flour, together with tobacco, shoes, pies, ale, cigars, soap, and other items. Peter soon turned state’s witness against Diamond and was sentenced to six months in the Dukes County Jail. A year later, Peter was jailed for destroying a boat.
Peter married Rachel Turner, who was a member of the Parting Ways New Guinea Settlement in Plymouth. They had one daughter, Lucretia, who died before she was six months old. Immediately afterward, as the Civil War began, Peter joined the United States Army.
Peter enlisted and served in the 54th Massachusetts, the second Black regiment organized in the Northern states during the Civil War.
After the Civil War, Peter returned to Martha's Vineyard, eight (8) months later his wife left him and filed for divorce.
On January 18, 1884 Peter was one of the dozen or more Wampanoag volunteers who risked their lives to rescue the survivors of the wreck of the steamer City of Columbus. It was one of the worst ocean disasters of the century; more than 100 people perished in the waters off of Gay Head. Peter and four other men spent hours on the seas in their small, open boat, rescuing 13 survivors and transferring them to the U.S. revenue cutter, Dexter.
A week later, a resolution was read on the floor of the House of Representatives in recognition of these brave men, specifically naming Peter Johnson and 11 other Wampanoag men in their pronouncement of thanks. In early February, the Massachusetts Humane Society voted to award 11 men, including Johnson, their silver medal, together with $25, “for gallant and successful efforts in saving twenty of the passengers and crew”.
Peter Johnson is buried in the Civil War Veteran's Section in Rural Cemetery in New Bedford.
George Anthony Fletcher (c. 1857-1891) Victim
George Anthony Fletcher, of both Wampanoag and Black heritage was born in Bournedale, a community in modern Bourne now mostly submerged by the Cape Cod Canal. His father, Moses Anthony, was a Black bootmaker and factory engineer as well as a Civil War veteran. His mother, was Sarah Ann Fletcher of the Herring Pond Wampanoag community.
Charles J. Tighe Arrested
Charles J. Tighe was quickly located and arrested in Taunton following a tip from a local pawn shop owner where he tried to trade his bloody clothing. Charles had a lengthy criminal history. The Fall River Daily Evening News described him as “a sneak thief, a cheat, an ex-convict, the victim of the alcoholic habit, and the deserter of his wife and two children”.
Charles had been involved with a married woman, Clarabel Gifford, and had been in town to visit her. Mrs. Gifford was said to be a “clairvoyant,” and for several years the two of them had managed a “clairvoyant and blackmailing business in Boston” under the pseudonyms Clara and Charles Houghton. Charles also worked as a bartender and waiter, working at the Adams House in Boston, where he once stole a $100 diamond pin off a diner’s shirt. The Fall River papers noted that he had been arrested several times for “fornication and sneak thieving” and that he served time at the Deer Island Prison.
Charles J. Tighe Trial
The trial of Charles J. Tighe took ten (10) days. Nearly 100 witnesses testified. The defense attorney tried to shift suspicion onto George Fletcher, suggesting that Fletcher had killed Johnson before himself drowning.
A reporter from the Fall River Daily Globe visited Gracie Fletcher, who responded angrily, “It’s all an attempt to make my husband out a murderer to save a white man. They’d sacrifice a n—-r any day to clear a white man.” No one was ever charged in Fletcher’s death.
In his closing statement, which was five hours in length, The defense council suddenly produced Johnson’s skull, which he placed on the table with the sockets turned toward the jury. Charles was ultimately found guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced to seven (7) years and one (1) day in the state prison at Charlestown.
Charles Tighe was released in October 1897 after less than six (6) years in prison. His whereabouts afterward are unknown.
New Bedford newspaper editor George A. Hough happened to be the roommate, at the time, of District Attorney Hosea Knowlton, who prosecuted the Tighe case. Hough had noticed a “huge tin pail” at home one night, which he only later realized contained Peter Johnson’s decapitated head. Hough, in his reporting in the local paper, ignited outrage at the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic — the Civil War Union veterans organization. The group promptly insisted that Johnson’s head be restored to his grave, from which it had been quietly disinterred. If not for local reporting, Johnson’s skull would've never been put with the rest of his remains.
On June 8, 1891, Peter Johnson (45) and George Fletcher were playing cards and drinking whiskey at Matthews’ saloon in New Bedford when they were greeted by a young white man, later identified as Charles J. Tighe (29). They shared some drinks, and then the trio left together about 5PM on Peter's boat to go lobstering.
On June 9 1891 around 9AM Joseph Hamel and George Frates were quahogging in the Acushnet River.
They noticed a young man standing on a boulder on Egg Island, later identified as Charles Tighe, waving to attract their attention. As they approached the man, he asked for a ride to the shore, offering to pay then $1.50 for the inconvenience. Hamel and Frates agreed, and transported the young man to the Fairhaven shore, where the young man then admitted to having no money, but stated to them "Now, you go back and look after my boat”.
Hamel and Frates returned to Egg Island where they discovered a mutilated body lying next to a boat. The victim, later identified as Peter Johnson (45), was “terribly hacked about the head” with a rusty lathing hatchet.
A week later, the body of George Fletcher was discovered floating in the harbor with similar injuries.
Peter E. Johnson (1838-1891) Victim
Peter Johnson was a Wampanoag, and a Chilmark native. As a young man, Peter had two (2) interactions with law enforcement. In 1858, he and James Diamond of Gay Head were arrested for breaking into Willam Manter’s grocery store at Roaring Brook and stealing 50 pounds of flour, together with tobacco, shoes, pies, ale, cigars, soap, and other items. Peter soon turned state’s witness against Diamond and was sentenced to six months in the Dukes County Jail. A year later, Peter was jailed for destroying a boat.
Peter married Rachel Turner, who was a member of the Parting Ways New Guinea Settlement in Plymouth. They had one daughter, Lucretia, who died before she was six months old. Immediately afterward, as the Civil War began, Peter joined the United States Army.
Peter enlisted and served in the 54th Massachusetts, the second Black regiment organized in the Northern states during the Civil War.
After the Civil War, Peter returned to Martha's Vineyard, eight (8) months later his wife left him and filed for divorce.
On January 18, 1884 Peter was one of the dozen or more Wampanoag volunteers who risked their lives to rescue the survivors of the wreck of the steamer City of Columbus. It was one of the worst ocean disasters of the century; more than 100 people perished in the waters off of Gay Head. Peter and four other men spent hours on the seas in their small, open boat, rescuing 13 survivors and transferring them to the U.S. revenue cutter, Dexter.
A week later, a resolution was read on the floor of the House of Representatives in recognition of these brave men, specifically naming Peter Johnson and 11 other Wampanoag men in their pronouncement of thanks. In early February, the Massachusetts Humane Society voted to award 11 men, including Johnson, their silver medal, together with $25, “for gallant and successful efforts in saving twenty of the passengers and crew”.
Peter Johnson is buried in the Civil War Veteran's Section in Rural Cemetery in New Bedford.
George Anthony Fletcher (c. 1857-1891) Victim
George Anthony Fletcher, of both Wampanoag and Black heritage was born in Bournedale, a community in modern Bourne now mostly submerged by the Cape Cod Canal. His father, Moses Anthony, was a Black bootmaker and factory engineer as well as a Civil War veteran. His mother, was Sarah Ann Fletcher of the Herring Pond Wampanoag community.
Charles J. Tighe Arrested
Charles J. Tighe was quickly located and arrested in Taunton following a tip from a local pawn shop owner where he tried to trade his bloody clothing. Charles had a lengthy criminal history. The Fall River Daily Evening News described him as “a sneak thief, a cheat, an ex-convict, the victim of the alcoholic habit, and the deserter of his wife and two children”.
Charles had been involved with a married woman, Clarabel Gifford, and had been in town to visit her. Mrs. Gifford was said to be a “clairvoyant,” and for several years the two of them had managed a “clairvoyant and blackmailing business in Boston” under the pseudonyms Clara and Charles Houghton. Charles also worked as a bartender and waiter, working at the Adams House in Boston, where he once stole a $100 diamond pin off a diner’s shirt. The Fall River papers noted that he had been arrested several times for “fornication and sneak thieving” and that he served time at the Deer Island Prison.
Charles J. Tighe Trial
The trial of Charles J. Tighe took ten (10) days. Nearly 100 witnesses testified. The defense attorney tried to shift suspicion onto George Fletcher, suggesting that Fletcher had killed Johnson before himself drowning.
A reporter from the Fall River Daily Globe visited Gracie Fletcher, who responded angrily, “It’s all an attempt to make my husband out a murderer to save a white man. They’d sacrifice a n—-r any day to clear a white man.” No one was ever charged in Fletcher’s death.
In his closing statement, which was five hours in length, The defense council suddenly produced Johnson’s skull, which he placed on the table with the sockets turned toward the jury. Charles was ultimately found guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced to seven (7) years and one (1) day in the state prison at Charlestown.
Charles Tighe was released in October 1897 after less than six (6) years in prison. His whereabouts afterward are unknown.
New Bedford newspaper editor George A. Hough happened to be the roommate, at the time, of District Attorney Hosea Knowlton, who prosecuted the Tighe case. Hough had noticed a “huge tin pail” at home one night, which he only later realized contained Peter Johnson’s decapitated head. Hough, in his reporting in the local paper, ignited outrage at the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic — the Civil War Union veterans organization. The group promptly insisted that Johnson’s head be restored to his grave, from which it had been quietly disinterred. If not for local reporting, Johnson’s skull would've never been put with the rest of his remains.
Unidentified Remains Skeletal Remains Mystery
On April 4, 2024 approximately 5pm Nantucket Police received a report of the discovery of some skeletal remains in a wooded area off Milestone Road. Two (2) men searching for deer antler sheds located the remains. The remains were confirmed human, and included a skull.
The scene was processed and evidence was collected, the remains were removed and taken to the medical examiner's office. The cause of death hasn't been released.
On April 4, 2024 approximately 5pm Nantucket Police received a report of the discovery of some skeletal remains in a wooded area off Milestone Road. Two (2) men searching for deer antler sheds located the remains. The remains were confirmed human, and included a skull.
The scene was processed and evidence was collected, the remains were removed and taken to the medical examiner's office. The cause of death hasn't been released.
Hawthorn Country Club Unsolved Arson 2023
On May 7 2023 at approximately 1:30 PM Dartmouth Fire District 2 responded to a structure fire at the former Hawthorn County Club located at 970 Tucker Road.
The Hawthorne Country Club had no running water, electricity or other utilities which could have caused the fire. The degree of the fire was immediately suspicious. Investigators from
State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was deliberately set inside the building, and set in multiple different areas. A police K-9 was also brought to the scene and detected the presence of accelerants. In addition, an independent insurance investigation also found that the fire was deliberately set.
Local businessman, Dartmouth assessor, Kevin Santos bought the 56-acre property at foreclosure for $2.5 million in 2011. Santos continued to run the facility as a country club, banquet venue, and golf course, but on December 31 2015 he closed the business because it was no longer “economically viable”.
Carlos Rafael, who has been released from federal custody after serving time for mislabeling fish and falsifying records, was also interested in the property. He was at the foreclosure auction in 2011 and later worked with Santos to acquire the property. By December 2020, Rafael had assumed the mortgage with his son-in-law Jeff Hathaway, a realtor with a construction business. Property records show the mortgage went to Bliss Investors LLC, a Dartmouth-based company with Stephanie DeMello and Ivonilde Hathaway listed as its officers.
In January 2021, Bliss Investors secured the deed to the property for $2.3 million “and other valuable consideration.” Then, over the past few weeks, Hathaway announced that Toll Brothers agreed to buy the property for $3 million with plans to build condos for senior housing.
Toll Brothers has not developed an exact plan for the property, but housing for those 55 and older, or 62 and older is a possibility.
The Planning Board has been considering developing some type zoning bylaw for senior and/or 55+ housing. The bylaw would most likely be considered at the spring 2024 Town Meeting.
Update: March 28, 2024 Suspect Arrested
Shawn Medeiros (31) of New Bedford was arrested by Massachusetts State Police Massachusetts State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit at his employer, the City of New Bedford Central Garage. Shawn is charged with one (1) count of burning a building.
On the day of the fire, State police began interviewing witnesses, one of whom was Medeiros, who was present at the scene of the fire. Medeiros told investigators he was working at the club the morning of the fire, transporting tables and chairs from the country club to a building in New Bedford. Shawn's multiple interviews with law enforcement and surveillance footage from the area led to him being named the suspect.
On May 7 2023 at approximately 1:30 PM Dartmouth Fire District 2 responded to a structure fire at the former Hawthorn County Club located at 970 Tucker Road.
The Hawthorne Country Club had no running water, electricity or other utilities which could have caused the fire. The degree of the fire was immediately suspicious. Investigators from
State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was deliberately set inside the building, and set in multiple different areas. A police K-9 was also brought to the scene and detected the presence of accelerants. In addition, an independent insurance investigation also found that the fire was deliberately set.
Local businessman, Dartmouth assessor, Kevin Santos bought the 56-acre property at foreclosure for $2.5 million in 2011. Santos continued to run the facility as a country club, banquet venue, and golf course, but on December 31 2015 he closed the business because it was no longer “economically viable”.
Carlos Rafael, who has been released from federal custody after serving time for mislabeling fish and falsifying records, was also interested in the property. He was at the foreclosure auction in 2011 and later worked with Santos to acquire the property. By December 2020, Rafael had assumed the mortgage with his son-in-law Jeff Hathaway, a realtor with a construction business. Property records show the mortgage went to Bliss Investors LLC, a Dartmouth-based company with Stephanie DeMello and Ivonilde Hathaway listed as its officers.
In January 2021, Bliss Investors secured the deed to the property for $2.3 million “and other valuable consideration.” Then, over the past few weeks, Hathaway announced that Toll Brothers agreed to buy the property for $3 million with plans to build condos for senior housing.
Toll Brothers has not developed an exact plan for the property, but housing for those 55 and older, or 62 and older is a possibility.
The Planning Board has been considering developing some type zoning bylaw for senior and/or 55+ housing. The bylaw would most likely be considered at the spring 2024 Town Meeting.
Update: March 28, 2024 Suspect Arrested
Shawn Medeiros (31) of New Bedford was arrested by Massachusetts State Police Massachusetts State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit at his employer, the City of New Bedford Central Garage. Shawn is charged with one (1) count of burning a building.
On the day of the fire, State police began interviewing witnesses, one of whom was Medeiros, who was present at the scene of the fire. Medeiros told investigators he was working at the club the morning of the fire, transporting tables and chairs from the country club to a building in New Bedford. Shawn's multiple interviews with law enforcement and surveillance footage from the area led to him being named the suspect.