Decades of questions, Waiting for answers

The key to solving a cold case? It appears to be launching a cold case program.

The National Institute of Justice reports that these programs help solve a wide range of cold cases, including homicides. That is good news for the 1988 New Bedford Highway Serial case. The Massachusetts State Police Cold Case Unit assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s office was launched more than ten years ago, primarily to solve homicides, and expanded in 2022 to include missing persons.

Since the launch of the unit (and even earlier), State Police investigators have reviewed the case thoroughly, followed up on a number of tips, and looked at what pieces of evidence could be retested. It has all been done quietly, without fanfare, outside the public eye.

Roughly 61 percent of homicides in Massachusetts are solved, according to the Murder Accountability Project.

In 1988, eleven women went missing from the streets of New Bedford, Massachusetts. The bodies of nine were later found along or near local highways. Two of the women remain missing. Let’s pray one day this case will be part of that 61 percent of the homicides solved. And let’s pray the last two victims will be found in the meantime.

More information about the cold case unit can be found on the Bristol County District Attorney website.