Michael Cote 2003
On August 14, 2003, Michael Cote (26) was reported missing by his then girlfriend to the Kingston Police Department.
On Sunday, August 17, 2003, at approximately 10:00 AM, the victim's remains were discovered in his truck on a trail to a pond off Tremont Street in Carver. Michael's body was found severely burned and unrecognizable. Matthew's body was confirmed by dental records.
An autopsy revealed Michael was stabbed likely with a screwdriver, had two cracked ribs and was dead before the truck was set on fire. Michael's murder remained unsolved until 2009.
Investigation Update 2009
The investigation led to Russell Freitas (1967-2007) and Darren Caswell (44). Both, who were also cousins, were involved in drug trafficking OxyContin that Russell received monthly from an accident in 1998 that caused him to be a quadriplegic. Within weeks of the murder, investigators had twice searched Russell's' home. Matthew owed Russell $300 for OxyContin and suspected Matthew had stolen pills, cash or both from him. Matthew was last seen August. 13, 2003 at 3PM at Russell's home in Middleboro.
Darren was tied to the killing by a witness who told the grand jury that he gave Russell a ride on August 13, 2003, the night of the murder. Shortly after that Russell told the witness to stop on Tremont Street in Carver. Darren exited the woods dressed in black, a few hundred yards from where Cote’s body was found a days later.
More than six (6) years after Matthew's murder, Darren Caswell was indicted on a charge of murder in the first degree. Months before being indicated, Darren retired from the Bridgewater correctional facility.
Verdict 2011 Darren Caswell
Darren was convicted of 2nd- degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
He will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years.
Russell Freitas
Russell Freitas died before trial.
On August 14, 2003, Michael Cote (26) was reported missing by his then girlfriend to the Kingston Police Department.
On Sunday, August 17, 2003, at approximately 10:00 AM, the victim's remains were discovered in his truck on a trail to a pond off Tremont Street in Carver. Michael's body was found severely burned and unrecognizable. Matthew's body was confirmed by dental records.
An autopsy revealed Michael was stabbed likely with a screwdriver, had two cracked ribs and was dead before the truck was set on fire. Michael's murder remained unsolved until 2009.
Investigation Update 2009
The investigation led to Russell Freitas (1967-2007) and Darren Caswell (44). Both, who were also cousins, were involved in drug trafficking OxyContin that Russell received monthly from an accident in 1998 that caused him to be a quadriplegic. Within weeks of the murder, investigators had twice searched Russell's' home. Matthew owed Russell $300 for OxyContin and suspected Matthew had stolen pills, cash or both from him. Matthew was last seen August. 13, 2003 at 3PM at Russell's home in Middleboro.
Darren was tied to the killing by a witness who told the grand jury that he gave Russell a ride on August 13, 2003, the night of the murder. Shortly after that Russell told the witness to stop on Tremont Street in Carver. Darren exited the woods dressed in black, a few hundred yards from where Cote’s body was found a days later.
More than six (6) years after Matthew's murder, Darren Caswell was indicted on a charge of murder in the first degree. Months before being indicated, Darren retired from the Bridgewater correctional facility.
Verdict 2011 Darren Caswell
Darren was convicted of 2nd- degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
He will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years.
Russell Freitas
Russell Freitas died before trial.