Unraveling the Mystery: The Hunt for the New Bedford Highway Serial Killer

In the quiet town of New Bedford, Massachusetts, a chilling string of unsolved murders has haunted the community for decades. Along the desolate stretch of Route 195, known as the New Bedford Highway, seven young women disappeared without a trace, their fates shrouded in mystery and fear.

These victims were not strangers to each other; they shared a common thread that would forever connect them to the shadowy figure lurking in the darkness. Each was a vulnerable and marginalized woman, struggling with addiction and homelessness. Their disappearances went unnoticed for far too long, until a determined group of investigators embarked on a relentless pursuit to uncover the truth.

Shallow Graves: The Hunt for the New Bedford Highway Serial Killer

by Maureen Boyle

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27475 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	313 pages

FREE

The Missing: Faces of Tragedy

Rose Marie Moniz, 24, vanished on July 12, 1983. A single mother, she was known for her cheerful disposition and love of music.

Celeste Cordeiro, 18, disappeared on October 6, 1983. A troubled teen, she had been missing for several weeks before her family reported her disappearance.

Paula Malonson, 27, vanished on February 18, 1984. A former nurse, she was believed to be struggling with substance abuse at the time of her disappearance.

Karen Marsden, 24, disappeared on May 2, 1984. A homeless woman with a history of sex work, she was last seen hitchhiking along Route 195.

Marguerite Ann Doherty, 21, vanished on July 21, 1985. A mother of three, she was known to frequent local bars and motels.

Debra Medeiros, 34, disappeared on September 14, 1989. A homeless woman with mental health issues, she was often seen wandering the streets near the highway.

Janice Pockett, 26, was the last victim to disappear, on February 22, 1990. A sex worker, she was known to have worked along Route 195.

The Investigation: Digging into Darkness

As the disappearances piled up, a growing sense of panic and unease permeated New Bedford. Local police and the FBI launched a massive investigation, but the trail grew cold with each passing year.

In 2011, a new team of investigators, led by former Massachusetts State Police detective Paul Carey, reopened the case. Using advanced forensic technology and tireless interviews, they pieced together a chilling puzzle that pointed to a serial killer operating with impunity.

The victims' bodies were never recovered, but physical evidence collected at the time of their disappearances – fibers, fingerprints, hair samples – hinted at a connection between the crimes.

The Suspect: A Shadow in the Night

After years of painstaking investigation, the investigators zeroed in on a suspect: John Joseph Mullin, a convicted sex offender with a history of violence against women.

Mullin, who lived near Route 195 at the time of the killings, was known to frequent the same bars and motels where the victims were last seen. His DNA was found on evidence collected from several crime scenes.

The Trial: Seeking Justice for the Forgotten

In 2018, after seven long years of investigation, John Joseph Mullin was arrested and charged with the murders of six of the seven victims. (The murder of Rose Marie Moniz remains unsolved.)

The trial was a heart-wrenching and emotional experience for the victims' families, who had waited decades for answers. The prosecution presented a mountain of evidence, including DNA matches, witness testimony, and a chilling confession that Mullin had made to a fellow inmate.

Mullin remained defiant throughout the trial, claiming his innocence and accusing the investigators of fabricating evidence. However, the jury saw through his lies and found him guilty on all six murder charges.

The Legacy: Honoring Lost Lives

In 2019, John Joseph Mullin was sentenced to six consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. The verdict brought a sense of closure to the victims' families, who had endured years of uncertainty and pain.

The case of the New Bedford Highway Serial Killer is a haunting reminder of the forgotten women who often fall prey to violence and remain marginalized in society. Their lives mattered, and their memories deserve to be honored and remembered.

The investigation into the New Bedford Highway Serial Killer is a testament to the tenacity and determination of law enforcement officers who refuse to give up on cold cases. It is a story of hope, where justice can prevail even after years of darkness.

Shallow Graves: The Hunt for the New Bedford Highway Serial Killer

by Maureen Boyle

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27475 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	313 pages

FREE