8 women dead over a month: Does US’ New England have a serial killer on the prowl?

Concerns over a possible serial killer have spread over several towns across the New England region in the United States.

Rumours of a serial killer spread online following the deaths of eight people, mostly women, between March and April in the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

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The speculation took shape on social media, particularly in a Facebook group originally named “New England Serial Killer”. The group’s name was later changed in line with Meta’s guidelines.

Authorities have found eight bodies at different sites across the region, which led local communities to question whether the deaths might be linked.

We look at the details of the eight deaths, the online buzz surrounding the serial killer theory, and what officials have said so far.

Does New England have a serial killer?

Seven sets of human remains were discovered in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island between March and April, Fox News reported.

The most recent case involved a woman who was found unresponsive near a cycle track in Massachusetts. A spokesperson from the Springfield Police Department, Ryan Walsh, said the cause of death would be confirmed by a medical examiner, adding that “internet rumours are just that”.

Although police say there is no known link between the deaths and the exact causes are yet to be confirmed, the incidents have left many residents feeling anxious.

The speculation started in a Facebook group once named “New England Serial Killer”.

Over the past two months, remains have been found in New Haven, Norwalk, Groton, and Killingly in Connecticut; Foster in Rhode Island; and Framingham, Plymouth, and Springfield in Massachusetts.

Some people on social media believe the number of cases involving human remains, many of them women, across these three bordering states could point to a serial killer.

A look at the timeline of the deaths

On March 6, the body of 35-year-old Paige Fannon from New York was recovered in New Haven. Before finding her, police had come across clothing and personal items on the edge of the Norwalk River.

That same day, a hunter discovered human remains in a wooded part of Plymouth, Massachusetts. No details have been released about the age or gender of the person.

On March 19, the body of a woman believed to be between 40 and 60 years old was found inside a suitcase near a cemetery in Groton. State police said there is nothing to suggest the case is connected to any of the others.

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On March 20, New Haven police said that 59-year-old Denise Leary had been found dead after locals reported seeing human remains near a house in a wooded area. Officers said the body was badly decomposed when discovered.

On March 26, the remains of Michele Romano were located eight months after she was last seen. Rhode Island police said her body was found in a wooded area, according to WJAR.

On April 9, unidentified remains were discovered in Killingly, the Connecticut State Police told People magazine.

The next day, firefighters in Framingham, Massachusetts, came across another set of remains. Police said the level of decay showed the body had been there for several months.

A number of other unidentified remains have also been recovered across New England towns during the same period.

Why people think it’s a serial killer and what authorities said

Searches for the term “New England serial killer” saw a huge rise on Google around April 7, according to search data.

Jane Boroski, thought to be the only woman to have survived an attack by the Connecticut River Valley serial killer, has urged people to stay alert.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, she said, “I’m talking about this because, for one, do I think all these cases are connected? Maybe not, but it’s unusual to have so many remains and so many bodies coming up in such a short amount of time.”

She added that people across New England should take extra care.

“Especially women, if they’re jogging down trails or they’re walking down trails. Use the buddy system, be more vigilant… and be more aware of your surroundings," she advised.

Boroski was 22 and seven months pregnant when the incident occurred. She was driving back from a fair in New Hampshire on a warm August day. She stopped at the car park of a closed shop to get a drink from a vending machine.

After returning to her vehicle and opening the can, a man, now believed to be the Connecticut River Valley serial killer, came up to her.

However, she was able to fight back and run toward a vehicle nearby to seek help.