The Chilling 5: Unmasking The Most Notorious And Newest Serial Killers Of Massachusetts
Massachusetts, a state steeped in early American history and academic prestige, also harbors a dark, chilling legacy in the annals of true crime. As of
This deep dive explores the full spectrum of serial homicide in Massachusetts, from the earliest documented poisoner to the newly named "New England serial killer" Kevin Lino, whose decade-long spree targeting vulnerable populations has only recently been fully uncovered. Understanding these cases—both solved and tragically unsolved—provides essential context for the state’s ongoing battle against violent crime and its commitment to resolving its most enduring cold cases.
The Newest and Most Notorious: Profiles of Massachusetts' Serial Killers
The history of serial murder in Massachusetts is often dominated by a single, infamous name. However, a closer look reveals a pattern of diverse and terrifying perpetrators. Here is a list of the most consequential serial killers and major unsolved cases that have defined the state’s true crime history, including the latest suspect to be identified.
1. Kevin Lino: The New England Serial Killer (Active 2010–2014)
- Status: Identified and Charged (Already serving time).
- Victims: Allegedly linked to at least four murders of homeless men.
- Modus Operandi: Targeted vulnerable individuals, specifically homeless men, in a spree that spanned multiple states (Massachusetts and Montana).
- Key Locations: Lowell, MA; Boston, MA; Missoula, MT.
- Notable Victims: Normand Varieur (Boston, 2012) and Jack Gilbert Berry (Missoula, 2014).
- Current Update: Lino, 38, was already serving a life sentence for the murders of Varieur and Berry when authorities recently labeled him a "serial killer" and linked him to additional homicides, uncovering a decade-long crime spree. This identification represents a significant, fresh development in New England true crime.
2. Albert DeSalvo: The Boston Strangler (Active 1962–1964)
- Status: Deceased (Murdered in prison in 1973).
- Victims: Confessed to the murders of 13 women in the Boston area.
- Modus Operandi: Victims were sexually assaulted and strangled in their apartments. The crimes caused widespread panic across Boston and surrounding communities.
- Key Locations: Boston, Cambridge, Lynn, Lawrence, and Malden.
- Legacy: DeSalvo was never formally convicted for the "Strangler" murders but was imprisoned for separate sexual offenses. DNA evidence in 2013 definitively linked him to the murder of Mary Sullivan, one of the 13 victims, providing the first concrete forensic connection.
3. Jolly Jane Toppan (Active 1887–1901)
- Status: Convicted, Committed to an Asylum (Deceased 1938).
- Victims: Confessed to 31 murders, with estimates suggesting she may have been responsible for up to 100 deaths.
- Modus Operandi: Toppan was a nurse who used her position to poison patients with morphine and atropine, often experimenting on them to observe the effects. Her motive was often described as a perverse thrill.
- Key Locations: Lowell, MA; Cambridge, MA; and other parts of New England.
- Historical Context: One of the earliest and most prolific female serial killers in American history, her case highlighted the vulnerability of patients in healthcare settings at the turn of the 20th century.
4. Thomas Piper: The Boston Belfry Murderer (Active 1872–1876)
- Status: Executed (1876).
- Victims: Believed to have murdered at least four women.
- Modus Operandi: Piper was known for luring his victims, often young women, into church belfries or secluded locations before assaulting and murdering them.
- Key Locations: Boston, MA.
- Significance: Piper's crimes predate the Strangler by nearly a century and are a stark reminder of the long history of serial violence in the city of Boston.
5. Kristen Heather Gilbert: The Angel of Death (Active 1990–1996)
- Status: Convicted, Serving Life Sentence.
- Victims: Convicted of four murders and two attempted murders. Authorities suspect she may have been involved in dozens of other deaths.
- Modus Operandi: Like Toppan, Gilbert was a nurse. She administered massive doses of epinephrine to patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Northampton, Massachusetts, to induce cardiac emergencies, allowing her to "heroically" revive them, or simply cause death.
- Key Locations: Northampton, MA (Veterans Affairs Medical Center).
The Enduring Mystery: The New Bedford Highway Killer
While the cases of DeSalvo and Lino represent solved or newly identified serial killers, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is also haunted by one of the most vexing unsolved serial murder cases in American history: the New Bedford Highway Killer. The case remains a major focus for cold case investigators and a symbol of justice delayed for the victims’ families.
Between March 1988 and April 1989, a series of disappearances and murders terrorized the city of New Bedford. At least nine women were murdered, and two others vanished from the same area. The victims were often known to struggle with addiction or were involved in sex work, a tragic pattern that sometimes leads to their cases receiving less attention initially. The bodies were frequently discovered alongside Route 195, giving the unknown perpetrator the moniker, "The New Bedford Highway Killer."
Despite intensive investigations, including the identification of potential suspects like Anthony DeGrazia, who was charged in connection with one of the murders before charges were dropped, the killer has never been definitively identified or apprehended. The case remains officially unsolved and is one of the most significant open wounds in Massachusetts' true crime landscape. The sheer number of victims and the failure to close the case continue to fuel public curiosity and the dedication of investigators.
The Impact of Serial Homicide on Massachusetts Law Enforcement and True Crime Culture
The string of high-profile serial killer cases has had a profound and lasting impact on law enforcement practices and the cultural identity of Massachusetts. The investigation into the Boston Strangler, for instance, highlighted the need for better inter-agency communication and standardized forensic procedures. The recent identification of Kevin Lino as a New England serial killer—years after his initial convictions—demonstrates the ongoing evolution of investigative techniques, including the use of advanced data analysis and cold case review teams to connect seemingly unrelated homicides across state lines.
The focus on Lino's victims, who were homeless, also underscores a critical shift in true crime awareness: the recognition that serial killers often prey on the most marginalized and vulnerable members of society. This has led to increased scrutiny and resources being dedicated to cases involving victims who might have been overlooked in the past, such as the victims of the New Bedford Highway Killer.
Topical Authority: Key Entities and Locations in Massachusetts True Crime
To fully grasp the depth of this topic, it is essential to recognize the key entities, locations, and individuals who form the backbone of the state's true crime history, extending beyond the main perpetrators:
- Victims: Mary Sullivan, Normand Varieur, Jack Gilbert Berry, and the nine known victims of the New Bedford Highway Killer (unnamed to respect privacy).
- Locations: Boston (The Strangler's epicenter), Lowell (Lino's base), New Bedford (Unsolved Highway Murders), Northampton (Gilbert's crimes), Cambridge, Lynn, and Malden.
- Other Notable Cases/Figures: The infamous Lizzie Borden case (Fall River, MA), the Cohasset murder of Ana Walshe (a recent high-profile case), and the tragic unsolved murder of Molly Bish.
- LSI Keywords: Massachusetts cold cases, New England serial killer, unsolved murders Massachusetts, Boston Strangler legacy, serial homicide investigation, true crime podcast, forensic evidence, police task force.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts continues to grapple with its history of serial violence. The fresh news surrounding Kevin Lino serves as a stark reminder that the threat of serial killers is not confined to history books but remains a contemporary challenge for law enforcement. While the Boston Strangler case is a closed chapter, the New Bedford Highway Killer case remains a chilling, open file, and the ongoing work to connect the dots in cases like Lino’s ensures that justice, though sometimes delayed, can still be found for the victims and their families.
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