Edward Cereto 1987 Solved
On October 2 1987 at approximately 7:00AM the body of Edward Cereto (18) was discovered on Ledge Road inside the Fall River/Freetown State Forest. Cereto had been shot six (6) times, three (3) times in the head, two (2) in torso and one (1) in the groin. Additionally he has suffered burns to the right side of his face and beard. Six (6) "410 gauge" shotgun shell casings were found on the ground in the vicinity of the body. There were several shoe impressions or sneaker impressions around the area of the body as well as tire tread impressions.
Investigation Summary
Edward Cereto was homeless, at the time of his murder and was living in a septic tank at M & S Concrete Company in Fall River.
Bruce Frank, Kevin Costa and Michael Costa assaulted Edward and them loaded him into the truck of Steven Costa's vehicle and drove towards the Fall River/Freetown State Forest. On the way to the forest, Bruce Frank stopped at his apartment to get his shotgun and ammunition.
Kevin Costa stopped the automobile on a dirt road. Edward was removed from the trunk. Bruce Frank then shot the victim three times.
Each of the men then took turns shooting Edward.
Convictions
Bruce Frank and Kevin Costa were convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping. Michael Costa pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and kidnapping. The jury found him guilty of kidnapping and murder in the first degree on theories of deliberate premeditation and extreme atrocity or cruelty. The judge sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment without possibility of parole, for the murder conviction, and a concurrent eight to ten year sentence for the kidnapping conviction
Russell Larrivee 1982 Solved
Inside the state forest, Russell Larrivee (19) was stabbed and beaten with a rock and subsequently covered with leaves to hide his body. The perpetrators Peter Vailancourt (22) and Jason Johnson (22) took the victims shoes, which caused frostbite, resulting in the amputation of Larrivee's legs.
The perpetrators were arrested and charged accordingly. Vailancourt plead guilty to the murder, was sentenced to 18-20 years in prison. Johnson was found guilty and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
On October 2 1987 at approximately 7:00AM the body of Edward Cereto (18) was discovered on Ledge Road inside the Fall River/Freetown State Forest. Cereto had been shot six (6) times, three (3) times in the head, two (2) in torso and one (1) in the groin. Additionally he has suffered burns to the right side of his face and beard. Six (6) "410 gauge" shotgun shell casings were found on the ground in the vicinity of the body. There were several shoe impressions or sneaker impressions around the area of the body as well as tire tread impressions.
Investigation Summary
Edward Cereto was homeless, at the time of his murder and was living in a septic tank at M & S Concrete Company in Fall River.
Bruce Frank, Kevin Costa and Michael Costa assaulted Edward and them loaded him into the truck of Steven Costa's vehicle and drove towards the Fall River/Freetown State Forest. On the way to the forest, Bruce Frank stopped at his apartment to get his shotgun and ammunition.
Kevin Costa stopped the automobile on a dirt road. Edward was removed from the trunk. Bruce Frank then shot the victim three times.
Each of the men then took turns shooting Edward.
Convictions
Bruce Frank and Kevin Costa were convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping. Michael Costa pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and kidnapping. The jury found him guilty of kidnapping and murder in the first degree on theories of deliberate premeditation and extreme atrocity or cruelty. The judge sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment without possibility of parole, for the murder conviction, and a concurrent eight to ten year sentence for the kidnapping conviction
Russell Larrivee 1982 Solved
Inside the state forest, Russell Larrivee (19) was stabbed and beaten with a rock and subsequently covered with leaves to hide his body. The perpetrators Peter Vailancourt (22) and Jason Johnson (22) took the victims shoes, which caused frostbite, resulting in the amputation of Larrivee's legs.
The perpetrators were arrested and charged accordingly. Vailancourt plead guilty to the murder, was sentenced to 18-20 years in prison. Johnson was found guilty and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Judith Szatek & Raymond Frenette 1965 Solved
On May 1 1965 Judith (21) & Raymond (21) were parked down a deserted dirt road 150 feet off Bullock Road just two (2) miles north the Dartmouth town line., The couple was engaged and were both enrolled in college, Judith at Fitchburg State, and Raymond at SMTI (now UMass Dartmouth). For reasons unknown Judith was shot three (3) times in the chest and Raymond was shot four (4) times in the head. The vehicle had multiple bullet holes along with the windshield and door window were shot out.
Seven (7) .22-caliber shell casting were recovered from the scene. Robbery was ruled out as a motive, since both Judith and Raymond still had a small amount of cash and their personal belongings.
The couple was seen entering the deserted roadway at approximately 7PM the night they were murdered. Their bodies were discovered the next day approximately 12:30PM. The medical examiner determined the time of death was 10:30PM. The investigation determined that Judith was struck by a bullet that came thru the windshield, Frenette while exiting the vehicle was struck in the head several times. The killer then shot Judith two more times as she lay injured inside the vehicle.
On May 6 1965 Robert Garron (19) of Berkley was arrested and charged with murder. Investigators working with Taunton Police were about to obtain information from a co-worker of Garron. Garron's vehicle was impounded, and according to an eyewitness was seen leaving the crime scene area. Garron was committed to Bridgewater State Mental Hospital for 35-days for evaluation. On April 29 1966 A just deliberated for 45-minutes resulting in Gerron being acquitted by reason of insanity.
On May 1 1965 Judith (21) & Raymond (21) were parked down a deserted dirt road 150 feet off Bullock Road just two (2) miles north the Dartmouth town line., The couple was engaged and were both enrolled in college, Judith at Fitchburg State, and Raymond at SMTI (now UMass Dartmouth). For reasons unknown Judith was shot three (3) times in the chest and Raymond was shot four (4) times in the head. The vehicle had multiple bullet holes along with the windshield and door window were shot out.
Seven (7) .22-caliber shell casting were recovered from the scene. Robbery was ruled out as a motive, since both Judith and Raymond still had a small amount of cash and their personal belongings.
The couple was seen entering the deserted roadway at approximately 7PM the night they were murdered. Their bodies were discovered the next day approximately 12:30PM. The medical examiner determined the time of death was 10:30PM. The investigation determined that Judith was struck by a bullet that came thru the windshield, Frenette while exiting the vehicle was struck in the head several times. The killer then shot Judith two more times as she lay injured inside the vehicle.
On May 6 1965 Robert Garron (19) of Berkley was arrested and charged with murder. Investigators working with Taunton Police were about to obtain information from a co-worker of Garron. Garron's vehicle was impounded, and according to an eyewitness was seen leaving the crime scene area. Garron was committed to Bridgewater State Mental Hospital for 35-days for evaluation. On April 29 1966 A just deliberated for 45-minutes resulting in Gerron being acquitted by reason of insanity.
Isaiah Bullock 1862 Solved
On June 19 1862 a local saloon keeper by the name Isaiah "John" Bullock (45) was attacked and murdered while delivering a 20-gallon keg of liquor. Obed Reynolds (17) from New Bedford was looking to steal a few dollars from local delivery peddlers. While under the influence, and armed with a shotgun, sat and waited and along came Bullock, who was on his way home after making his delivery of the keg.
Around 7PM Reynolds shot Mr. Bullock in the face with a shotgun, however it didn't kill him, he fought back. A physical altercation ensued resulting in Reynold's stabbing (23 times) and beating Bullock with the shotgun. After the murder, Reynolds then stole a watch, $11. Reynolds stripped naked and ran home through the woods to his family farm on Pine Island Road in Dartmouth. Reynolds was captured and went on trial in Taunton Superior Court.
On May 21 1863 Reynolds was found guilty of 1st degree murder, and the penalty was death by hanging. While waiting sentence in a New Bedford jail, he learned to read and write. He wrote letters admitting to the crime, but stating he was driven by a combination of rum and gunpowder.
On January 7 1864 Massachusetts Governor John A Andrew commuted Reynolds's sentence to life in Charlestown State Prison, where he died on Apr 4 1876 from tuberculosis. Obed Reynolds is buried in the Pine Island Cemetery in Dartmouth. Reynolds married Eliza Maloney of Freetown, on May 13 1862, who worked as a servant on the Reynolds Family Farm.
Located on Bullock Road, a sickle-shaped piece of granite juts from the ground marking the place where Bullock lost his life. The stone without inscription or marking is located just south of Pierce Way East on Bullock Road. It was at that time in 1862 that this section of Slab Bridge Road was renamed Bullock Road. The monument was erected by those who lived along the road, not long after Bullock died, to mark the spot of his murder.
On June 19 1862 a local saloon keeper by the name Isaiah "John" Bullock (45) was attacked and murdered while delivering a 20-gallon keg of liquor. Obed Reynolds (17) from New Bedford was looking to steal a few dollars from local delivery peddlers. While under the influence, and armed with a shotgun, sat and waited and along came Bullock, who was on his way home after making his delivery of the keg.
Around 7PM Reynolds shot Mr. Bullock in the face with a shotgun, however it didn't kill him, he fought back. A physical altercation ensued resulting in Reynold's stabbing (23 times) and beating Bullock with the shotgun. After the murder, Reynolds then stole a watch, $11. Reynolds stripped naked and ran home through the woods to his family farm on Pine Island Road in Dartmouth. Reynolds was captured and went on trial in Taunton Superior Court.
On May 21 1863 Reynolds was found guilty of 1st degree murder, and the penalty was death by hanging. While waiting sentence in a New Bedford jail, he learned to read and write. He wrote letters admitting to the crime, but stating he was driven by a combination of rum and gunpowder.
On January 7 1864 Massachusetts Governor John A Andrew commuted Reynolds's sentence to life in Charlestown State Prison, where he died on Apr 4 1876 from tuberculosis. Obed Reynolds is buried in the Pine Island Cemetery in Dartmouth. Reynolds married Eliza Maloney of Freetown, on May 13 1862, who worked as a servant on the Reynolds Family Farm.
Located on Bullock Road, a sickle-shaped piece of granite juts from the ground marking the place where Bullock lost his life. The stone without inscription or marking is located just south of Pierce Way East on Bullock Road. It was at that time in 1862 that this section of Slab Bridge Road was renamed Bullock Road. The monument was erected by those who lived along the road, not long after Bullock died, to mark the spot of his murder.
David S. Hathaway 1856 Solved
On September 22 1856 Adaline (Hathaway) Clark shot and killed David S. Hathaway Jr. He was a farmer, and was Adaline's first cousin. At the time of the murder, Hathaway was living with Adaline and her husband Seth.
The Taunton Gazette reported that Hathaway came home extremely intoxicated, and an argument ensued, which escalated into an axe attack. Adaline explained she’d gone to bed and was roused sometime later by the noise made by the intoxicated Hathaway who was attempting to get inside the locked back door. Adeline took an oil lamp to guide her way to the kitchen and let Hathaway inside. He took the lamp from her and shoved her outside into the rain. While she pounded and pleaded to be let back in, Hathaway guarded the door, axe in hand, and vowed he’d use it if
Adaline reentered the house. After spending an hour and a half outside in her rain-soaked clothes, She stated she heard a chair tip over, then a thud which she assumed was Hathaway falling down. Once gaining entry into the house, she retrieved a pistol she had bought a week prior. By the lamp light in the front room, she saw Hathaway on the floor with the axe beside him. She claimed he reiterated his threat to kill her and “two or more of her children.” At that moment, Adaline shot Hathaway in the head.
Adaline claimed self-defense in explaining the events. During the investigation Adaline disclosed she had been Hathaway's mistress.
Authorities determined Adaline's account of the shooting and the advance planning that went into it, were cold and calculating and premeditated. In April 1867 Adaline was went to trial charged with manslaughter. In May 1858 she was convicted, but not sentenced until October 1858. She was sentenced to five (5) years of hard labor in the New Bedford House of Correction. In June 1863 she was released.
What happened to her husband, Seth Clark?
At some point Seth Clark quietly leaves Freetown and moves to Rhode Island. Due to the publicity of his wife, commuting adultery with her own cousin, and now a murderer was a huge burden and an embarrassment.
In 1865 Adaline is listed as living in Freetown with her adult son, and she claimed she was a widow, which was untrue. In 1880 Adaline claimed she was divorced from Seth, but that too was untrue. Seth was alive and well living in Rhode Island, but listed himself as being a widower, also untrue.
Seth died in 1892 at age 82, Adaline died in 1896 at age 82 - even more shocking, Seth and Adaline are buried next to each other in the Assonet Burying Ground.
On September 22 1856 Adaline (Hathaway) Clark shot and killed David S. Hathaway Jr. He was a farmer, and was Adaline's first cousin. At the time of the murder, Hathaway was living with Adaline and her husband Seth.
The Taunton Gazette reported that Hathaway came home extremely intoxicated, and an argument ensued, which escalated into an axe attack. Adaline explained she’d gone to bed and was roused sometime later by the noise made by the intoxicated Hathaway who was attempting to get inside the locked back door. Adeline took an oil lamp to guide her way to the kitchen and let Hathaway inside. He took the lamp from her and shoved her outside into the rain. While she pounded and pleaded to be let back in, Hathaway guarded the door, axe in hand, and vowed he’d use it if
Adaline reentered the house. After spending an hour and a half outside in her rain-soaked clothes, She stated she heard a chair tip over, then a thud which she assumed was Hathaway falling down. Once gaining entry into the house, she retrieved a pistol she had bought a week prior. By the lamp light in the front room, she saw Hathaway on the floor with the axe beside him. She claimed he reiterated his threat to kill her and “two or more of her children.” At that moment, Adaline shot Hathaway in the head.
Adaline claimed self-defense in explaining the events. During the investigation Adaline disclosed she had been Hathaway's mistress.
Authorities determined Adaline's account of the shooting and the advance planning that went into it, were cold and calculating and premeditated. In April 1867 Adaline was went to trial charged with manslaughter. In May 1858 she was convicted, but not sentenced until October 1858. She was sentenced to five (5) years of hard labor in the New Bedford House of Correction. In June 1863 she was released.
What happened to her husband, Seth Clark?
At some point Seth Clark quietly leaves Freetown and moves to Rhode Island. Due to the publicity of his wife, commuting adultery with her own cousin, and now a murderer was a huge burden and an embarrassment.
In 1865 Adaline is listed as living in Freetown with her adult son, and she claimed she was a widow, which was untrue. In 1880 Adaline claimed she was divorced from Seth, but that too was untrue. Seth was alive and well living in Rhode Island, but listed himself as being a widower, also untrue.
Seth died in 1892 at age 82, Adaline died in 1896 at age 82 - even more shocking, Seth and Adaline are buried next to each other in the Assonet Burying Ground.