Murders in Massachusetts

Jonathan Power

Murders in Massachusetts is a true crime podcast exploring real homicide cases, unsolved murders, and criminal investigations across the Bay State. From quiet suburban neighborhoods to historic city streets, each episode dives into the stories that have left lasting marks on local communities. Through detailed storytelling and a strong local lens, the podcast examines not only what happened—but where, and why these cases continue to resonate. Focusing on Massachusetts murders, cold cases, and unsolved homicides, Murders in Massachusetts goes beyond the headlines—uncovering timelines, unanswered questions, and the people at the center of each story. Because in Massachusetts… every town has a story.

  1. 20h ago

    The Girl on the Billboard - Part One | The Susan “Su” Taraskiewicz Story

    In September 1992, 27-year-old Susan “Su” Taraskiewicz was building a life and career at Boston's Logan International Airport. A hardworking young woman from Saugus, Massachusetts, Su had earned a position in an industry where women were still fighting to be treated equally. But behind the scenes, trouble was brewing. Workplace tensions, allegations of harassment, and a hostile environment would become part of a much larger story. Then, one September morning, Su's life came to a devastating end. Her murder would leave her family searching for answers, investigators confronting troubling questions, and eventually, her smiling face appearing on a billboard along one of the busiest roadways leading to Logan Airport. In Part One of The Girl on the Billboard, we travel back to Massachusetts in 1992, exploring the gritty streets of Revere, the busy corridors of Logan Airport, and the events leading up to Su's murder. Part Two: Available Wednesday, October 28th, 2026, Who was Susan Taraskiewicz? What was happening in her life and workplace? And were there warning signs that something terrible was about to happen? Featuring special contributor Dianne C. Braley, author, speaker, nurse, and advocate, who shares her perspective on Su's case and the continuing search for justice. Learn more about Dianne and her work: Website: https://www.diannecbraley.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WICKEDHONESTTRUECRIMEFacebook discussion group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1693799815269383More than three decades later, Su's murder remains unsolved. Someone knows what happened to Susan “Su” Taraskiewicz. Murders in Massachusetts — Every Town Has a Story. Visit MurdersinMA.com for more episodes and updates.

    The Girl on the Billboard - Part One | The Susan “Su” Taraskiewicz Story

  2. 2d ago

    The Farwell Trial — Part One: The Backstory and Week One of the Trial

    In February 2021, 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore was found dead inside her Canton, Massachusetts, apartment. She was pregnant, and her death was initially ruled a suicide. More than five years later, a former Stoughton police detective is standing trial in federal court, accused of murdering Sandra and staging her death to conceal years of alleged sexual exploitation. How did a young woman who dreamed of becoming a police officer become the center of one of Massachusetts' most disturbing law enforcement scandals? In Part One of our coverage of the federal trial of Matthew Farwell, host Jonathan Power takes listeners back to where the story began. We examine Sandra's involvement in the Stoughton Police Explorers program, her relationship with Farwell, the circumstances surrounding her death, and the investigation that ultimately led to federal murder charges. Then, we turn to Week One of the Trial, which began October 9, 2026, at the federal courthouse in Boston. Prosecutors presented their theory of a calculated murder and cover-up, while Farwell's defense maintained that Sandra died by suicide. As testimony began, jurors heard from people who knew Sandra, law enforcement officers involved in the original investigation, and witnesses who helped establish the timeline of her final days. Surveillance footage, questions surrounding the original investigation, and conflicting accounts of Sandra's state of mind became central issues during the opening week. This is more than a murder trial. It's a case raising difficult questions about trust, authority, accountability, and what happens when the people entrusted with protecting a community are themselves accused of wrongdoing. Join us as we examine the evidence, the testimony, and the questions at the center of United States v. Matthew Farwell. Some stories are still being written. Murders in Massachusetts — Every Town Has a Story. Editor's Note: Matthew Farwell has pleaded not guilty. All criminal allegations remain allegations unless established in court. This episode discusses testimony and proceedings from the trial's opening week and does not imply a verdict or determination of guilt.

    The Farwell Trial — Part One: The Backstory and Week One of the Trial

  3. Oct 8

    The deadliest mass shooting in Massachusetts | Edgewater Technology Shooting

    Seven Lives Lost at Edgewater Technology On December 26, 2000, the day after Christmas, employees at Edgewater Technology in Wakefield, Massachusetts, returned to work expecting an ordinary day. Instead, their workplace became the scene of one of the deadliest mass shootings in Massachusetts history. Armed with a semiautomatic rifle, employee Michael McDermott opened fire inside the company's offices, killing seven of his coworkers. But behind the headlines, the police investigation, and the courtroom proceedings were seven people whose lives were stolen—and families whose lives would never be the same. In this episode of Murders in Massachusetts, we revisit the tragedy that shook Wakefield and examine the events leading up to the shooting, the investigation, and the devastating aftermath. Seven victims. Seven families. One community forever changed. The victims were Jennifer Bragg Capobianco, Janice Hagerty, Louis A. Javelle, Rose Manfredi, Paul Marceau, Cheryl Troy, and Craig Wood. In 2002, McDermott was convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder. Some stories are still being written. Every town has a story.

    The deadliest mass shooting in Massachusetts | Edgewater Technology Shooting

  4. Sep 3

    The White Mink Coat

    On an April evening in 1989, Marianne Lewis and her husband were headed into Boston for what appeared to be a special night at the theater. They would never make it to the show. Inside a Boston parking garage, Marianne was struck by a speeding car and left with catastrophic injuries. What initially appeared to be a horrific hit-and-run would remain largely unexplained for years. But this was no accident. In this episode of Murders in Massachusetts, we uncover the extraordinary story behind The White Mink Coat—a troubled marriage, a carefully planned night in Boston, and the investigation that would eventually reveal a far more sinister plot. It’s a story of betrayal, survival, and a conspiracy that almost remained hidden.

    The White Mink Coat

  5. Aug 13

    The Hockey Dad Murder

    What begins as an ordinary youth hockey practice ends in tragedy when an argument over rough play erupts into a fatal confrontation between two fathers. On July 5, 2000, Thomas Junta and Michael Costin crossed paths at the Burbank Ice Arena in Reading, Massachusetts. After an initial scuffle was broken up, Junta left the rink—only to return minutes later. A second fight unfolded in front of nearly a dozen children, including the sons of both men. Costin never regained consciousness and died the following day. The killing became national news and transformed Junta into the infamous “Hockey Dad,” turning the case into a wider debate about parental rage and violence in youth sports. In this episode, we examine the conflicting accounts of the fight, Junta’s claim of self-defense, the disputed medical evidence, the involuntary-manslaughter verdict and the lasting consequences for both families. Beyond the sensational headline is a disturbing story of anger, childhood trauma and violence whose effects continued long after the ice arena fell silent. Content warning: This episode discusses fatal violence, domestic-abuse allegations, childhood trauma, mental-health treatment and premature death.

    The Hockey Dad Murder

  6. Jul 24 ·  Bonus

    Murders in Groton - BONUS EPISODE: Deadly Sister - The Diary Murder

    In 1996, sixteen-year-old Stephanie Santerre disappeared from a home in Groton, Massachusetts. At first, it appeared she had simply left after an argument. But as investigators began questioning the people closest to her, a far more disturbing story emerged—one involving a private diary, dangerous jealousy, and a betrayal from inside Stephanie’s own family. Nearly thirty years later, a landmark court decision would bring the case back into the spotlight and force Stephanie’s loved ones to confront the past once again. BONUS EPISODE: In Part Three of Murders in Groton, we uncover the truth behind Stephanie’s disappearance and the secret that tore an already fractured family apart. This is Deadly Sister: The Diary Murder. This episode discusses murder, sexual conduct involving a minor, and domestic violence. Listener discretion is advised.

    Murders in Groton - BONUS EPISODE: Deadly Sister - The Diary Murder

  7. Jul 15

    Murders in Groton - Part Two: Behind Closed Doors

    Some tragedies happen without warning. Others leave behind difficult questions about whether they could have been prevented. In Part Two of our Murders in Groton series, we examine a case that shook this quiet New England community once again—one that raises important conversations about mental illness, domestic violence, warning signs, and the challenges families face when they desperately seek help. Beyond the headlines, we remember the life of a woman whose kindness touched those around her and explore the lasting impact her loss had on her family and the Groton community. Join host Jonathan Power for another thoughtful and investigative look at a case that reminds us that not every tragedy begins with a single moment—it can unfold quietly, behind closed doors.

    Murders in Groton - Part Two: Behind Closed Doors

  8. Jul 8

    Murders in Groton - Part One: The Quadruple Homicide on Common Street

    Murders in Groton: When Tragedy Comes to a Quiet Town Part One: The Quadruple Homicide on Common Street Groton, Massachusetts, is known for its rolling farmland, historic homes, elite schools, and quiet New England charm. For generations, it has been a place where families built their lives believing they had found peace. On September 8, 2017, that peace was shattered. Inside a home on Common Street, four people were brutally killed in one of the deadliest family homicides in recent Massachusetts history. The victims—Elizabeth Lackey, Frank Lackey, Elizabeth Krause, and home health aide Bertha Mae Parker—were attacked in a place where they should have been safest. In this episode of Murders in Massachusetts, we go beyond the headlines to examine the events leading up to that tragic day, the frantic phone calls made in the final moments before the killings, the investigation that followed, and the questions that continue to surround the case. You'll also hear the story of Groton itself—a town whose nearly 400-year history was forever altered by an act of unimaginable violence. This is not a story about sensationalizing tragedy. It's about remembering the victims, understanding the circumstances, and exploring how one afternoon changed a community forever. Part One explores the quadruple homicide on Common Street. Coming next: Part Two: Behind Closed Doors, examining another tragedy that would once again shake the town of Groton just two years later. 🎙️ Murders in Massachusetts Every Town Has a Story.

    Murders in Groton - Part One: The Quadruple Homicide on Common Street
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Murders in Massachusetts is a true crime podcast exploring real homicide cases, unsolved murders, and criminal investigations across the Bay State. From quiet suburban neighborhoods to historic city streets, each episode dives into the stories that have left lasting marks on local communities. Through detailed storytelling and a strong local lens, the podcast examines not only what happened—but where, and why these cases continue to resonate. Focusing on Massachusetts murders, cold cases, and unsolved homicides, Murders in Massachusetts goes beyond the headlines—uncovering timelines, unanswered questions, and the people at the center of each story. Because in Massachusetts… every town has a story.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Power
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jonathan Power
  • Show Website
    Murders in Massachusetts

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