Debra Medeiros, 30
Nancy Paiva, 36
Deborah DeMella, 34
Dawn Mendes, 25
Deborah McConnel, 25
Rochelle Clifford, 28
Sandy Botelho, 24
Christine Monteiro, 19
Marilyn Roberts, 34
Mary Santos, 26
Robin Rhodes, 28
These are the names of the nine confirmed victims of an unknown individual referred to as the New Bedford Highway Killer, and two missing women believed to also be victims (Plainfield). The victims disappeared between March of 1988 and April of 1989, though this estimate comes from the time at which victims’ remains were recovered (Fiandaca). It is possible that the killings ended in 1988.
It began with skeletal remains, still partially clothes, being found on July 2, 1988 (Plainfield). The remains were found approximately 30 to 50 feet from the side of Route 140 North, when a driver had stopped along the side to relieve themself (Hunter) (Brown). It wasn’t until either December of 1988 or February of 1989 that these remains were identified as those of Debra Medeiros, who had been missing since May 27, 1988. There are conflicting reports on when her remains were identified(Hunter) (Plainfield). She was last seen after she walked out on her boyfriend (Plainfield).
Slowly, the bodies began to appear. Nancy Paiva, 36, was found near Interstate-195 (referred to locally as the I-195). Paiva, a known sex worker and reportedly struggling with drug addiction, was last seen pn July 11, 1988 leaving a local bar (Plainfield) (Fiandaca). According to Paiva’s sister, Judy DeSantos, she had become worried about her sister when she hadn’t heard from her in a couple weeks (Fiandaca). Deborah DeMello, 34, was found near where Paiva’s remains were recovered from on November 8, 1988. DeMello had gone missing on the same day Paiva did. Three days later, Dawn Mendes, 25, was found by some workmen working on I-195; Mendes had been missing for a week. In December 1988, Deborah McConnel, 25, was found along I-140. McConnel was described as skeletal when found and notably fully clothed. She had gone missing in May of 1988. In that same month, Rochelle Clifford, 28, was found by hunters near I-195, at a rock quarry. Her remains were collected not far from where DeMello and Paiva were found (Plainfield).
Robin Rhoswa, 28, and Mary Santos, 26, were found in late March of 1989. Rhodes was across from where Medeiros’ remains were recovered from, on I-140. Santos was found on Route 88 and had last been seen in July of 1988. In April 1989, Sandy Botelho, 24, was found along I-195 after having gone missing in August of 1988. Christine Monteiro, 19, and Marilyn Roberts, 34, have never been found, but are presumed dead and included in the list of victims. Monteiro was last seen in May of 1988 and Roberts went missing in April of 1988 (Plainfield).
The victims lived similar lives or were connected in some way. Many of the victims were known by investigators to be sex workers and many of them also struggled with various addictions (Staff). While it is possible that the connections could be a coincidence due to how small New Bedford is and the similar lifestyles the victims lived, for those investigating the cases it was important to note. Clifford was last seen with Paiva’s boyfriend, who was later cleared of suspicion in both deaths, and Rhodes was at least acquaintances with victims, Mendes, Clifford, Santos, and Paiva. Rhodes was also neighbors with Monteiro (Plainfield). All of the victims lived in New Bedford, Massachusetts, but were found near towns like Freetown, Westport, and Dartmouth, all along Route 140 (staff). The cause of death for three victims was determined to be strangulation and two other victims were found with ligatures still tied around their necks (Hunter).
In recent years, the unsolved case has garnered new attention. This is in part in relation to the book, “Shallow Graves,” by journalist Maureen Boyle. Boyle reportedly believes that in the decades since the murders occurred, forensic science has come far enough to help solve the murders, and perhaps people who didn’t come forward before may be more willing. Previous investigators, such as Jose Gonsalves, hope that with the arrest of the Golden State Killer, more cold cases will be solved. Another retired detective involved with the case, Alan Alves, expressed hope that the release of Boyle’s book would lead to new information. Current head of the investigation, State Police Sergeant Ann Marie Robertson, has reported receiving more calls in the time since “Shallow Graves” was released and believes the book is related to this (Brown).
While the case remains unsolved, there have been two major suspects and other theories. A known violent rapist nicknamed, “Flat Nose,” arrested in May 1989 for the rapes of several sex workers, was one of the two suspects. Tony DeGrazia was held until his bond was posted in January of 1990, and later died by suicide after posting bond for a second arrest in relation to another rape. As of now, no evidence has been found to link DeGrazia to the murders. The second suspect, Kenny Ponte, was an attorney. Described as troubled by others, Ponte has a history of drug abuse and is known to have had altercations with police. One of his altercations involved victim Rochelle Clifford and a gun, connecting him to at least the one victim. In September 1988, Ponte closed his office and moved to Florida. This timing is notably around the time women stopped disappearing in New Bedford. Ponte was indicted by a grand jury in August of 1990 on the murder of Rochelle Clifford, but due to a supposed lack of evidence the charges were dropped in March 1991 (Plainfield).
It is speculated by some that whoever the New Bedford Highway Killer was, they may be the same individual responsible for the Lisbon Ripper murders in Europe. The murders occurred in Portugal, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic. The killings began around the same time that the New Bedford killings ended, and the victims were similar – sex workers, often suffering from addiction. Noted by those who believe the killings are connected is the significant Portuguese immigrant population in New Bedford (Plainfield).
Will we ever have answers for who committed the murders in New Bedford, MA in the late 1980s? Unfortunately, there are high chances we will never get an answer. Perhaps someone will come forward and give a piece of information that helps bring the case to a close. Maybe, as Boyle hopes, forensic science has progressed enough that new information can be gained from the evidence already available. Until that happens, the case will remain unsolved, and the families of the victims will be left without closure.
Fiandaca, Cheryl. “New Bedford Highway Serial Killer Mystery Remains Unsolved More Than 30 Years Later”. Boston.Cbslocal.Com, 2021, https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/02/11/new-bedford-highway-serial-killer-investigation/.
Plainfield, Verbal. “Unsolved Serial Killings; Massachusetts, New Bedford”. Web.Archive.Org, 2009, https://web.archive.org/web/20091027121657/http://geocities.com/verbal_plainfield/coldcases/newbedford.html.
staff, Editorial. “Why Has This Serial Killer In New Bedford Highway Never Been Caught? – Daily Film | Mcutimes”. Mcutimes, 2021, https://mcutimes.com/why-has-this-serial-killer-in-new-bedford-highway-never-been-caught-daily-film/.
Hunter, Brad. “CRIME HUNTER: Who Was Serial Killer Who Terrorized New Bedford? | Toronto Sun”. Torontosun.Com, 2020, https://torontosun.com/news/world/crime-hunter-who-was-serial-killer-who-terrorized-new-bedford.
Brown, Curt. Southcoasttoday.Com, 2018, https://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20180702/30-years-later-search-for-new-bedford-highway-killer-continues.
Syn Writes 