- Irene Perry 1940
Irene Perry
Globe Magazine August 18, 2024
On August 18, 2024, The Globe Magazine published an article by Patricia Wen. The article profiled the investigation into Irene's unsolved murder.
Irene Perry
On June 29, 1940, around 3:30PM Irene Perry (22) disappeared. She was last seen by store clerk Georgianna Velero an employee at a Dartmouth Street store where Irene went to pay a bill and purchase bread and ice cream. While at the store she also purchased socks and shorts. Irene was dressed in a house dress and a coat, clearly not dressed an outing of any kind. It's believed she was lured into a vehicle. Irene had boyfriends, and this wasn't the first time she failed to return home at night. Irene's father reported Irene as missing the next day when she didn't return.
On July 31, 1940, her skeletal remains were discovered by a group of men who were assigned the task of clearly brush for a sewer project off Woodcock Road approximately 500ft from the New Bedford Gun Range. Her hands and legs were found tied with rope and enforced by a knot from her left stocking. Her arms were tied over her head. An extensive search was conducted for her shoes, which were never located.
At the time of the discovery, her remains were found 25 yards into the woods at the end of a roadway used to haul timber. This roadway was also known as a "lover's lane". It was determined she wasn't killed at that site but was dumped there. Buttons to her coat were found 70 feet from her remains, and she was found lying on a rubber automobile floor mat. Six (6) shell-casing from a .22 caliber pistol were located near her remains. Her cause of death was ruled "homicide circumstances undetermined". It appeared she was suffocated and was pregnant at the time of her death. Irene was buried in unmarked grave #976 in St. John Cemetery on August 3, 1940.
The investigation into her death determined she had given birth to a son, Donald 2 years prior to her death.
Suspect Frank Pedro
On August 26, 1940, police arrested Frank Pedro (25) of New Bedford and charged him with murder. Frank became the prime suspect due to rope located in his basement that matched the rope used on Irene. The rope was traced it to a manufacturer in New York, then was transported to a Long Island wholesaler, and then to a job site at an estate in Rhode Island where Frank's relative worked.
Frank admitted during police questioning that he had been romantically involved with Irene for several years. Frank also admitted they had gone "parking" near Lovers' Lane in the area where Perry's body was discovered.
At trial in May 1941, a rope expert testified that the rope used on Irene Perry was not the same rope located at the work site or in Frank's home. Frank testified that he'd ended his relationship with Irene in March 1940, because he was married, had a child. Frank also stated Irene never told him she was pregnant.
Verdict 1941 Frank Pedro
Frank was found not guilty
"Mystery Street" 1950
A black-and-white film shot in Boston and Cape Cod. The film also featured Harvard Medical School, in Boston and Harvard Yard in Cambridge. The story was based on the death of Irene Perry. The story earned a nomination for Best Story for the 1951 Academy Awards.
Dartmouth Police Department Records
The original investigating officers, Ernest Faulkner and Jiel Sylvia are now deceased, and the case file no longer exists in the archives of the Dartmouth Police Department.
On June 29, 1940, around 3:30PM Irene Perry (22) disappeared. She was last seen by store clerk Georgianna Velero an employee at a Dartmouth Street store where Irene went to pay a bill and purchase bread and ice cream. While at the store she also purchased socks and shorts. Irene was dressed in a house dress and a coat, clearly not dressed an outing of any kind. It's believed she was lured into a vehicle. Irene had boyfriends, and this wasn't the first time she failed to return home at night. Irene's father reported Irene as missing the next day when she didn't return.
On July 31, 1940, her skeletal remains were discovered by a group of men who were assigned the task of clearly brush for a sewer project off Woodcock Road approximately 500ft from the New Bedford Gun Range. Her hands and legs were found tied with rope and enforced by a knot from her left stocking. Her arms were tied over her head. An extensive search was conducted for her shoes, which were never located.
At the time of the discovery, her remains were found 25 yards into the woods at the end of a roadway used to haul timber. This roadway was also known as a "lover's lane". It was determined she wasn't killed at that site but was dumped there. Buttons to her coat were found 70 feet from her remains, and she was found lying on a rubber automobile floor mat. Six (6) shell-casing from a .22 caliber pistol were located near her remains. Her cause of death was ruled "homicide circumstances undetermined". It appeared she was suffocated and was pregnant at the time of her death. Irene was buried in unmarked grave #976 in St. John Cemetery on August 3, 1940.
The investigation into her death determined she had given birth to a son, Donald 2 years prior to her death.
Suspect Frank Pedro
On August 26, 1940, police arrested Frank Pedro (25) of New Bedford and charged him with murder. Frank became the prime suspect due to rope located in his basement that matched the rope used on Irene. The rope was traced it to a manufacturer in New York, then was transported to a Long Island wholesaler, and then to a job site at an estate in Rhode Island where Frank's relative worked.
Frank admitted during police questioning that he had been romantically involved with Irene for several years. Frank also admitted they had gone "parking" near Lovers' Lane in the area where Perry's body was discovered.
At trial in May 1941, a rope expert testified that the rope used on Irene Perry was not the same rope located at the work site or in Frank's home. Frank testified that he'd ended his relationship with Irene in March 1940, because he was married, had a child. Frank also stated Irene never told him she was pregnant.
Verdict 1941 Frank Pedro
Frank was found not guilty
"Mystery Street" 1950
A black-and-white film shot in Boston and Cape Cod. The film also featured Harvard Medical School, in Boston and Harvard Yard in Cambridge. The story was based on the death of Irene Perry. The story earned a nomination for Best Story for the 1951 Academy Awards.
Dartmouth Police Department Records
The original investigating officers, Ernest Faulkner and Jiel Sylvia are now deceased, and the case file no longer exists in the archives of the Dartmouth Police Department.
- Sterling Parkinson 1961
Sterling Parkinson
Sterling J. Parkinson (1930-1961) was found dead on March 12, 1961, after his body was left in a shallow, gully in a wooded area behind the New Bedford Airport. The Medical Examiner determined he was stabbed thirty-five (35) times and may have been lying there for "as long as a month". It was later determined a total of sixteen (16) days has elapsed between the recovery of the body and the incident at a well-known Dartmouth restaurant - "Chippy's".
There have been four (4) police investigations - three (3) have never been located. On September 13, 1971, the Standard-Times began an investigation on the Parkinson case. We only have the witness's version. Many reports, log entries and evidence went missing.
Dartmouth Police Missing Log Entries and Lost Evidence
Chief Medeiros had no explanation why the police log shows no calls to the police department for any response to "Chippy's" at any time in the past six (6) weeks including March 12, 1961. He conceded the log could've been altered and that any number of officers in the last ten (10) years would have access to the logbook. "Sloppy police work", according to Chief Medeiros is the one reason Sterling's killer has never been found.
Chief Medeiros explained the clothing, which should've been saved until the case was solved, was dirty and bloodstained and "raising a stench" so it was tossed out 7-8 years later. The last time evidence was seen was in 1962 by New Bedford Police, who claimed it was traced to the Massachusetts State Police lab.
Witness Statement (Rapoza Family, neighbors)
About 10:00 PM on February 24, 1961, approximately midnight an unidentified male left "Chippy's" Restaurant, located at 58 St. John Street, by the rear door and got into a 1951 dark colored Chevrolet coupe. The man revved the engine as though "about to take off". This male was later identified as a friend of Sterling Parkinson. At one point, Sterling exited the restaurant and the male in the coupe yelled "come on Panky" as though urging Sterling to leave.
According to the witness, a scuffle then took place, and Mrs. Rapoza told her husband "My God they're beating up a little kid in the parking lot." Suddenly, Sterling cried out "You've stabbed me, you've stabbed me", he staggered and fell across the hood of a parked car. Two (2) or three (3) men were standing in the doorway watching the fight and dragged the victim back inside. The victim was wearing an Air Force jacket.
Mrs. Rapoza then phoned the Dartmouth Police Department to report what she saw and then rejoined her husband and son at a vantage point overlooking the parking lot of the restaurant. From their position they could see through the rear windows (no curtains) of the downstairs bar. Several persons whom she identified by name to police who were "working him over with towels" in an effort to stop the bleeding from the stab wounds. She saw the victim being dragged into the downstairs walk-in freezer.
Mrs. Rapoza reported that (2) Dartmouth Police officers stepped inside the restaurant and briefly spoke with those present and left without checking the premises. After seeing this, she phoned the Dartmouth Police again, the dispatcher told her that they had responded there, and the situation was over. She then explained that the victim is in the freezer. Two (2) Dartmouth Police officers arrived again, and she saw the victim being dragged back into the freezer before the officers entered the building. Again, the officer spoke with those present without checking the freezer as she had insisted, they do. Mrs. Rapoza identified all four (4) Dartmouth Police officers by name who had responded to the restaurant. She phoned the Dartmouth Police for a third time and that resulted in the same outcome.
The friend of Sterling remained at the scene for about 20 minutes after the stabbing. However, months later while being interviewed by the Standard-Times Mrs. Rapoza altered that and stated the friend fled within minutes of the stabbing. She identified those involved - and their vehicles to the police including a well-known businessman and an elected town official.
The witness along with her husband and son who returned about 11PM continued to watch the rear of the restaurant. About 1130PM an unidentified male was seen carrying the victim "like a child, arms and legs dangling" and walked to a white car parked in the southwest corner of the lot. Police believe the moving of the victim took place after 1AM on a weekend night rather than earlier on a Thursday. Still cradling the victim, the male carrying him slid him into the passenger front seat of the white vehicle. The vehicle then fled (indicating the driver was already in the vehicle waiting) No license plate was seen, and it fled without lights on.
In 1961 Dartmouth Police Chief James Hervey informed Mrs. Rapoza, a few days after the body was discovered, that his department was investigating the reported stabbing at "Chippy's". The 1961 report, including witness statements are missing. The stabbing was investigated in 1963 and 1965 (by Officer Carlos Mello). Those two (2) reports are also missing. Years later Officer Mello explained he was contacted by "someone" and was told NOT to discuss the case because a Grand Jury investigation was coming, which never happened.
One officer on duty the night of the stabbing, who the witness identified, stated he never went to the restaurant to investigate a stabbing along with the other patrolmen the witness identified as being there as well.
Dartmouth Police Report 1970
Officer Gilbert Medeiros reopened the case on his own in 1969 and turned his finding over to Chief Manuel V Medeiros in late 1970.
The resident couple who contends they saw Sterling being stabbed outside of "Chippy's" sixteen (16) days prior to finding his remains was contacted. In the report, the individuals the witnesses identified were questioned - all but one- denied being ever being at the restaurant or having any knowledge of the stabbing. One of the persons questioned made a statement to police but later withdrew it after speaking with others who were present at the restaurant at the same time. A second male told investigators he had "heard" about the incident "a week after it happened" but later refused to cooperate with police.
Chief Medeiros didn't deliver the report to the District Attorney until nine (9) months later - 1 hour before the Standard Times was scheduled to interview him about the case. He explained the delay in turning over the report to the District Attorney was at the request of Asst District Attorney, an "old friend". At the time a new District Attorney (Phillip Rollins) had just taken office and according to Chief Medeiros, his staff needed time to "clear up a backlog of cases". Rollins never heard of the case or the Dartmouth angle until July. Rollins never requested a delay to due to a backlog of cases. Chief Medeiros claimed to have no knowledge of Officer Mellos' 1963,1965 investigation and reports and insisted he knew nothing of the Dartmouth angle until the 1970 report.
Sterling J. Parkinson (1930-1961) was found dead on March 12, 1961, after his body was left in a shallow, gully in a wooded area behind the New Bedford Airport. The Medical Examiner determined he was stabbed thirty-five (35) times and may have been lying there for "as long as a month". It was later determined a total of sixteen (16) days has elapsed between the recovery of the body and the incident at a well-known Dartmouth restaurant - "Chippy's".
There have been four (4) police investigations - three (3) have never been located. On September 13, 1971, the Standard-Times began an investigation on the Parkinson case. We only have the witness's version. Many reports, log entries and evidence went missing.
Dartmouth Police Missing Log Entries and Lost Evidence
Chief Medeiros had no explanation why the police log shows no calls to the police department for any response to "Chippy's" at any time in the past six (6) weeks including March 12, 1961. He conceded the log could've been altered and that any number of officers in the last ten (10) years would have access to the logbook. "Sloppy police work", according to Chief Medeiros is the one reason Sterling's killer has never been found.
Chief Medeiros explained the clothing, which should've been saved until the case was solved, was dirty and bloodstained and "raising a stench" so it was tossed out 7-8 years later. The last time evidence was seen was in 1962 by New Bedford Police, who claimed it was traced to the Massachusetts State Police lab.
Witness Statement (Rapoza Family, neighbors)
About 10:00 PM on February 24, 1961, approximately midnight an unidentified male left "Chippy's" Restaurant, located at 58 St. John Street, by the rear door and got into a 1951 dark colored Chevrolet coupe. The man revved the engine as though "about to take off". This male was later identified as a friend of Sterling Parkinson. At one point, Sterling exited the restaurant and the male in the coupe yelled "come on Panky" as though urging Sterling to leave.
According to the witness, a scuffle then took place, and Mrs. Rapoza told her husband "My God they're beating up a little kid in the parking lot." Suddenly, Sterling cried out "You've stabbed me, you've stabbed me", he staggered and fell across the hood of a parked car. Two (2) or three (3) men were standing in the doorway watching the fight and dragged the victim back inside. The victim was wearing an Air Force jacket.
Mrs. Rapoza then phoned the Dartmouth Police Department to report what she saw and then rejoined her husband and son at a vantage point overlooking the parking lot of the restaurant. From their position they could see through the rear windows (no curtains) of the downstairs bar. Several persons whom she identified by name to police who were "working him over with towels" in an effort to stop the bleeding from the stab wounds. She saw the victim being dragged into the downstairs walk-in freezer.
Mrs. Rapoza reported that (2) Dartmouth Police officers stepped inside the restaurant and briefly spoke with those present and left without checking the premises. After seeing this, she phoned the Dartmouth Police again, the dispatcher told her that they had responded there, and the situation was over. She then explained that the victim is in the freezer. Two (2) Dartmouth Police officers arrived again, and she saw the victim being dragged back into the freezer before the officers entered the building. Again, the officer spoke with those present without checking the freezer as she had insisted, they do. Mrs. Rapoza identified all four (4) Dartmouth Police officers by name who had responded to the restaurant. She phoned the Dartmouth Police for a third time and that resulted in the same outcome.
The friend of Sterling remained at the scene for about 20 minutes after the stabbing. However, months later while being interviewed by the Standard-Times Mrs. Rapoza altered that and stated the friend fled within minutes of the stabbing. She identified those involved - and their vehicles to the police including a well-known businessman and an elected town official.
The witness along with her husband and son who returned about 11PM continued to watch the rear of the restaurant. About 1130PM an unidentified male was seen carrying the victim "like a child, arms and legs dangling" and walked to a white car parked in the southwest corner of the lot. Police believe the moving of the victim took place after 1AM on a weekend night rather than earlier on a Thursday. Still cradling the victim, the male carrying him slid him into the passenger front seat of the white vehicle. The vehicle then fled (indicating the driver was already in the vehicle waiting) No license plate was seen, and it fled without lights on.
In 1961 Dartmouth Police Chief James Hervey informed Mrs. Rapoza, a few days after the body was discovered, that his department was investigating the reported stabbing at "Chippy's". The 1961 report, including witness statements are missing. The stabbing was investigated in 1963 and 1965 (by Officer Carlos Mello). Those two (2) reports are also missing. Years later Officer Mello explained he was contacted by "someone" and was told NOT to discuss the case because a Grand Jury investigation was coming, which never happened.
One officer on duty the night of the stabbing, who the witness identified, stated he never went to the restaurant to investigate a stabbing along with the other patrolmen the witness identified as being there as well.
Dartmouth Police Report 1970
Officer Gilbert Medeiros reopened the case on his own in 1969 and turned his finding over to Chief Manuel V Medeiros in late 1970.
The resident couple who contends they saw Sterling being stabbed outside of "Chippy's" sixteen (16) days prior to finding his remains was contacted. In the report, the individuals the witnesses identified were questioned - all but one- denied being ever being at the restaurant or having any knowledge of the stabbing. One of the persons questioned made a statement to police but later withdrew it after speaking with others who were present at the restaurant at the same time. A second male told investigators he had "heard" about the incident "a week after it happened" but later refused to cooperate with police.
Chief Medeiros didn't deliver the report to the District Attorney until nine (9) months later - 1 hour before the Standard Times was scheduled to interview him about the case. He explained the delay in turning over the report to the District Attorney was at the request of Asst District Attorney, an "old friend". At the time a new District Attorney (Phillip Rollins) had just taken office and according to Chief Medeiros, his staff needed time to "clear up a backlog of cases". Rollins never heard of the case or the Dartmouth angle until July. Rollins never requested a delay to due to a backlog of cases. Chief Medeiros claimed to have no knowledge of Officer Mellos' 1963,1965 investigation and reports and insisted he knew nothing of the Dartmouth angle until the 1970 report.
James P Almeida (1926-2000)
James along with many other influential people were present and were involved in the murder and cover-up. James was a well-known gambler. He was never charged with any crimes
James along with many other influential people were present and were involved in the murder and cover-up. James was a well-known gambler. He was never charged with any crimes
- Debra Ann Coelho 1977
Debra Ann Coelho
On February 5, 1977, approximately 2:30PM Debra Ann Coelho (15) waved to her mother and continued on her journey along Ashley Boulevard towards Hathaway Bowling (Wonderbowl) about 1.5 miles away. Debra had just recently been accepted as a regular on a bowling team.
About 3:00 PM a witness confirmed a sighting of Debra on Nash Road, and several witnesses confirmed that she did arrive at the bowling alley. When Debra failed to return home by 5:30PM her mother (Marianne) was frantic - she checked with Hathaway Bowling and found her daughter had arrived but hadn't been seen there in a while. Her father, David, arrived at home, the Coelho's went to the New Bedford Police Department to report her missing.
February 5, 1977, New Bedford Police Department
At 5:30PM Officer Danny Chieppa files a missing person's report. At the time, according to the Coelho family, a missing person report couldn't be filed for 24-hours, but if they claimed she was a "runaway" then the police would actively look for her. The Coelho's later realized by filing the report as a "runaway" resulted in New Bedford Police never investigating her disappearance or made an effort to locate her. After filing the missing person report with New Bedford Police, her parents called her friends, they drove the streets of the city searching for her never locating her.
Noteworthy, in viewing the actual missing person report taken by Officer Danny Chieppa, there is no indication she was a runaway. Additionally written in red ink is the date Debra's remains were discovered in Dartmouth. Officer Chieppa joined the New Bedford Police Department in 1974 and retired in 2002 as a Lieutenant. He passed away in 2017.
February 8, 1977, Mysterious Phone Calls
Approximately 11 AM the phone at the Coelho house rang, the caller a young male told Mrs. Coelho he knew where Debra was. He provided directions "Go past Lincoln Park. Bear right at the church. Go all the way down to the end of the road, take a right, take next left to go fork in road and stay to the right of the fork ..go about 200-300 yards. You will see a glove in the tree and Debbie is opposite the glove."
Mr. Coehlo followed the directions, which lead to a farm off Albro Avenue in Dartmouth. He searched as best he could and found nothing. The Dartmouth Police Department was notified of this very specific phone call. Patrolmen Manuel Medeiros Jr. and Louis Caton were dispatched to the area. The ground was snow covered; the officers didn't locate Debra or a glove. It was later determined the two officers never entered the woods to search. Dartmouth Police later told the Coleho's the call was a hoax.
Every night the Coelho's received a phone call, no voice, just silence. The phone calls ended once Debra's remains were found.
There is a very strong belief by investigators the killer, or a witness to her death, was the person who called the family and left the message regarding where her remains could be found.
October 19, 1978, Debra's Remains Discovered.
In a wooded area off Albro Avenue, three children found her skull, an 11-year-old boy who lived nearby ran home to his mother with the skull. Dartmouth Police were called at 5:07pm. Patrolman Walter Medeiros arrived to begin the investigation. He asked the children to show him where they'd found it. He and the boys – aged 11,14, and 16 – systematically searched the area. Four hundred feet away, beneath a pile of leaves and next to a tree, with a white glove stuck on a branch was the rest of Debra Ann Coelho's remains. Her remains were encircled four (4) with a clothesline and tied with unusual knots.
In her left coat pocket was a makeup kit, an eyelash curler, a bottle of mascara and a piece of blue paper. She was wearing the same corduroy pants, two pairs of socks, tan shoes, two sweaters, and off-white ski jacket with a fur trimmed hood she wore when she left home. Her death certificate listed her death was caused by a fractured skull and a fractured lower jaw. Her death was a ruled a homicide.
Persons of Interest
At the time of Debra's murder, Francis M. Souza (1939-2025) was residing in an old trailer in a field off Albro Avenue. This trailer was 100 yards from where Debra's remains were found.
Francis was convicted in 1977 of rape, kidnapping and assault in battery in an unrelated case.
He was sentenced to ten (10) to eighteen (18) years after an appeal.
John Costa Jr. previously resided at 42 Locust Street in New Bedford but later provided an address of 307 Slades Corner Road in Dartmouth. On August 13, 1979, John was sentenced to life in prison in Kansas after being found guilty of attempted kidnapping, attempted rape and 1st-degree murder in the death of Marilyn Butcher (18) of Abilene Texas.
He was paroled in September 2014 and placed on supervised parole, which ended in August 2021.
On February 5, 1977, approximately 2:30PM Debra Ann Coelho (15) waved to her mother and continued on her journey along Ashley Boulevard towards Hathaway Bowling (Wonderbowl) about 1.5 miles away. Debra had just recently been accepted as a regular on a bowling team.
About 3:00 PM a witness confirmed a sighting of Debra on Nash Road, and several witnesses confirmed that she did arrive at the bowling alley. When Debra failed to return home by 5:30PM her mother (Marianne) was frantic - she checked with Hathaway Bowling and found her daughter had arrived but hadn't been seen there in a while. Her father, David, arrived at home, the Coelho's went to the New Bedford Police Department to report her missing.
February 5, 1977, New Bedford Police Department
At 5:30PM Officer Danny Chieppa files a missing person's report. At the time, according to the Coelho family, a missing person report couldn't be filed for 24-hours, but if they claimed she was a "runaway" then the police would actively look for her. The Coelho's later realized by filing the report as a "runaway" resulted in New Bedford Police never investigating her disappearance or made an effort to locate her. After filing the missing person report with New Bedford Police, her parents called her friends, they drove the streets of the city searching for her never locating her.
Noteworthy, in viewing the actual missing person report taken by Officer Danny Chieppa, there is no indication she was a runaway. Additionally written in red ink is the date Debra's remains were discovered in Dartmouth. Officer Chieppa joined the New Bedford Police Department in 1974 and retired in 2002 as a Lieutenant. He passed away in 2017.
February 8, 1977, Mysterious Phone Calls
Approximately 11 AM the phone at the Coelho house rang, the caller a young male told Mrs. Coelho he knew where Debra was. He provided directions "Go past Lincoln Park. Bear right at the church. Go all the way down to the end of the road, take a right, take next left to go fork in road and stay to the right of the fork ..go about 200-300 yards. You will see a glove in the tree and Debbie is opposite the glove."
Mr. Coehlo followed the directions, which lead to a farm off Albro Avenue in Dartmouth. He searched as best he could and found nothing. The Dartmouth Police Department was notified of this very specific phone call. Patrolmen Manuel Medeiros Jr. and Louis Caton were dispatched to the area. The ground was snow covered; the officers didn't locate Debra or a glove. It was later determined the two officers never entered the woods to search. Dartmouth Police later told the Coleho's the call was a hoax.
Every night the Coelho's received a phone call, no voice, just silence. The phone calls ended once Debra's remains were found.
There is a very strong belief by investigators the killer, or a witness to her death, was the person who called the family and left the message regarding where her remains could be found.
October 19, 1978, Debra's Remains Discovered.
In a wooded area off Albro Avenue, three children found her skull, an 11-year-old boy who lived nearby ran home to his mother with the skull. Dartmouth Police were called at 5:07pm. Patrolman Walter Medeiros arrived to begin the investigation. He asked the children to show him where they'd found it. He and the boys – aged 11,14, and 16 – systematically searched the area. Four hundred feet away, beneath a pile of leaves and next to a tree, with a white glove stuck on a branch was the rest of Debra Ann Coelho's remains. Her remains were encircled four (4) with a clothesline and tied with unusual knots.
In her left coat pocket was a makeup kit, an eyelash curler, a bottle of mascara and a piece of blue paper. She was wearing the same corduroy pants, two pairs of socks, tan shoes, two sweaters, and off-white ski jacket with a fur trimmed hood she wore when she left home. Her death certificate listed her death was caused by a fractured skull and a fractured lower jaw. Her death was a ruled a homicide.
Persons of Interest
At the time of Debra's murder, Francis M. Souza (1939-2025) was residing in an old trailer in a field off Albro Avenue. This trailer was 100 yards from where Debra's remains were found.
Francis was convicted in 1977 of rape, kidnapping and assault in battery in an unrelated case.
He was sentenced to ten (10) to eighteen (18) years after an appeal.
John Costa Jr. previously resided at 42 Locust Street in New Bedford but later provided an address of 307 Slades Corner Road in Dartmouth. On August 13, 1979, John was sentenced to life in prison in Kansas after being found guilty of attempted kidnapping, attempted rape and 1st-degree murder in the death of Marilyn Butcher (18) of Abilene Texas.
He was paroled in September 2014 and placed on supervised parole, which ended in August 2021.
St. John's Cemetery, New Bedford
Dartmouth Police Interview in Kansas
Dartmouth Police Lieutenant Herb Tondreau (1929-2023), traveled to Kansas to interview John regarding the Coelho case. Of particular interest was the knots used to tie Debra and the knots used to tie Marilyn Butcher. The knot was an unusual knot, was the same on both victims. John has denied any involvement in Debra's murder. Interestingly, the brother of John's brother-in-law, David Faria, was a Dartmouth Police officer at the time.
Dartmouth Police Lieutenant Herb Tondreau (1929-2023), traveled to Kansas to interview John regarding the Coelho case. Of particular interest was the knots used to tie Debra and the knots used to tie Marilyn Butcher. The knot was an unusual knot, was the same on both victims. John has denied any involvement in Debra's murder. Interestingly, the brother of John's brother-in-law, David Faria, was a Dartmouth Police officer at the time.
- Dawn Copeland 1988
Dawn Copeland
On June 21, 1988, Dawn (Cook) Copeland, mother of twin boys, had graduated from New Bedford High School GED Program and was to start classes at Bristol Community College in September to become a Certified Nurses Aid (CNA).
In a delayed celebration, Dawn and her friend Michelle Pelletier (1965-2022) went out celebrating on the night of June 25, 1988. Michelle claims they went drinking at bars along County Street and then met up with a male named David. The three (3) of them then went to David's apartment in the north-end of the city and participated in drug activity. At some point they all left David's apartment and went to the Martinque Lounge located on Acushnet Avenue. Investigators interviewed witnesses who confirmed they saw them drinking at the Martinque Lounge.
Witnesses claimed they saw her with three (3) men, one (1) of these men, according to a witness, reported seeing her with on a prior occasion. At some point David left the Martinque for the night, leaving Dawn and Michelle there. Dawn then left with an unknown male and went to breakfast at Pals4 restaurant located at Tinkham Street and Acushnet Ave. Dawn's vehicle was left parked near the Martinque Lounge. At some point Dawn ended up at the Redwood Saloon on Cove Road, this was the last time she was seen alive.
Dawn Copeland Discovered Dead
On June 26, 1988, around 6 AM Dawn's partially clad body was discovered bludgeoned, and face slashed, and shoved under the jetty at the foot off Rogers Street in Dartmouth. No weapons were recovered from the scene. Autopsy results determined her time of death was around 1AM on June 26, 1988.
After the discovery of Dawn, according to the Boston Globe article, law enforcement sent out a general broadcast "Police are looking for three (3) men in a late 1960's or 1970's faded blue Chevrolet Impala. The car reportedly was seen driving back and forth shortly near the site where the body was discovered shortly before it was found" No further description was ever given out.
Discrepancies Discovered
Many years later, Michelle claimed she learned about Dawns death from David. She said David came to her house the morning Dawns body was discovered and was banging on her door yelling for her to open the door. Once the door was opened David told Michelle that Dawn was dead and that they needed to go to the Dartmouth State Police. She claimed they did go to the barracks and were interviewed. How did David know that Dawn was dead already? Michelle claimed she has no idea how David knew this information
Oddly, a much different version was told by a family member of Dawn regarding that same morning. The family member, who we will call "Susan" claimed that Michelle and David arrived at her house early in the morning and told her that Dawn had been stabbed in an ally but claimed they had no additional information about what happened. Susan claimed she called the New Bedford Police, who referred her the Dartmouth State Police. At that time Susan and her husband went to the Dartmouth State Police and were interviewed and it was then disclosed that Dawn was dead and discovered on the beach off Rogers Street in Dartmouth.
How would David know about Dawn being stabbed in an ally if he had already left the Martinque Lounge prior to Dawn leaving?
At the time of the death the District Attorney's office publicly stated she was stabbed, and the newspapers reported that information. The truth is the body had no stab wounds, only wounds from being slashed with a knife. The death certificate also makes no reference to being stabbed. Which leads back to David and Michelle's story about Dawn being stabbed in an ally, it appears that didn't happen.
On June 21, 1988, Dawn (Cook) Copeland, mother of twin boys, had graduated from New Bedford High School GED Program and was to start classes at Bristol Community College in September to become a Certified Nurses Aid (CNA).
In a delayed celebration, Dawn and her friend Michelle Pelletier (1965-2022) went out celebrating on the night of June 25, 1988. Michelle claims they went drinking at bars along County Street and then met up with a male named David. The three (3) of them then went to David's apartment in the north-end of the city and participated in drug activity. At some point they all left David's apartment and went to the Martinque Lounge located on Acushnet Avenue. Investigators interviewed witnesses who confirmed they saw them drinking at the Martinque Lounge.
Witnesses claimed they saw her with three (3) men, one (1) of these men, according to a witness, reported seeing her with on a prior occasion. At some point David left the Martinque for the night, leaving Dawn and Michelle there. Dawn then left with an unknown male and went to breakfast at Pals4 restaurant located at Tinkham Street and Acushnet Ave. Dawn's vehicle was left parked near the Martinque Lounge. At some point Dawn ended up at the Redwood Saloon on Cove Road, this was the last time she was seen alive.
Dawn Copeland Discovered Dead
On June 26, 1988, around 6 AM Dawn's partially clad body was discovered bludgeoned, and face slashed, and shoved under the jetty at the foot off Rogers Street in Dartmouth. No weapons were recovered from the scene. Autopsy results determined her time of death was around 1AM on June 26, 1988.
After the discovery of Dawn, according to the Boston Globe article, law enforcement sent out a general broadcast "Police are looking for three (3) men in a late 1960's or 1970's faded blue Chevrolet Impala. The car reportedly was seen driving back and forth shortly near the site where the body was discovered shortly before it was found" No further description was ever given out.
Discrepancies Discovered
Many years later, Michelle claimed she learned about Dawns death from David. She said David came to her house the morning Dawns body was discovered and was banging on her door yelling for her to open the door. Once the door was opened David told Michelle that Dawn was dead and that they needed to go to the Dartmouth State Police. She claimed they did go to the barracks and were interviewed. How did David know that Dawn was dead already? Michelle claimed she has no idea how David knew this information
Oddly, a much different version was told by a family member of Dawn regarding that same morning. The family member, who we will call "Susan" claimed that Michelle and David arrived at her house early in the morning and told her that Dawn had been stabbed in an ally but claimed they had no additional information about what happened. Susan claimed she called the New Bedford Police, who referred her the Dartmouth State Police. At that time Susan and her husband went to the Dartmouth State Police and were interviewed and it was then disclosed that Dawn was dead and discovered on the beach off Rogers Street in Dartmouth.
How would David know about Dawn being stabbed in an ally if he had already left the Martinque Lounge prior to Dawn leaving?
At the time of the death the District Attorney's office publicly stated she was stabbed, and the newspapers reported that information. The truth is the body had no stab wounds, only wounds from being slashed with a knife. The death certificate also makes no reference to being stabbed. Which leads back to David and Michelle's story about Dawn being stabbed in an ally, it appears that didn't happen.
- Joseph A. Downing Jr. 2003
Joseph A. Downing Jr.
On May 3, 2003, approximately 10:45pm Dartmouth Police received an anonymous call reporting a suspicious van parked in Lot 100 of the Crossroads Drive apartment complex. Police located a Dodge Caravan idling in the parking lot with Joseph Downing (41) slumped over the wheel. Police discovered Joseph had been shot twice on the right-hand side of his head and was transported to St. Luke's Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Joseph, not a resident of the complex, was a married father of two children worked at Glaser Glass New Bedford and was a part-time antiques dealer. An investigation was underway to determine what brought Joseph to the complex and why that time of night. Investigators found more than $2,000 in cash and two containers of Oxycontin in Joseph's van.
Police investigators searched the wooded areas around the housing development and questioned residents. Most residents reported they didn’t hear anything until after local and state police knocked on their doors with flashlights after midnight as part of a canvas of the complex.
In 2009 Derek Hunt (37) allegedly admitted to various witnesses that he shot and killed Joseph.
Verdict Derek Hunt
Derek Hunt was found not guilty on all charges.
On May 3, 2003, approximately 10:45pm Dartmouth Police received an anonymous call reporting a suspicious van parked in Lot 100 of the Crossroads Drive apartment complex. Police located a Dodge Caravan idling in the parking lot with Joseph Downing (41) slumped over the wheel. Police discovered Joseph had been shot twice on the right-hand side of his head and was transported to St. Luke's Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Joseph, not a resident of the complex, was a married father of two children worked at Glaser Glass New Bedford and was a part-time antiques dealer. An investigation was underway to determine what brought Joseph to the complex and why that time of night. Investigators found more than $2,000 in cash and two containers of Oxycontin in Joseph's van.
Police investigators searched the wooded areas around the housing development and questioned residents. Most residents reported they didn’t hear anything until after local and state police knocked on their doors with flashlights after midnight as part of a canvas of the complex.
In 2009 Derek Hunt (37) allegedly admitted to various witnesses that he shot and killed Joseph.
Verdict Derek Hunt
Derek Hunt was found not guilty on all charges.
- Ryan Maltais 2007
Ryan Maltais Suspicious Death 2007
On January 12, 2007, Ryan's mother, Anna Maltais, contacts Dartmouth Police reporting her son, Ryan Maltais (18) had borrowed her vehicle without her consent. In the early morning hours of January 13, 2007, Dartmouth Police located the unoccupied vehicle in front of 18 Alden Avenue.
Police searched the area for Ryan but were unable to locate him. A witness explained he saw a teen, later identified as Ryan, running toward Old Westport Road as the police were approaching the unattended vehicle. On January 15, 2007, Ryan's father, George Maltais, files a missing person's report with Dartmouth Police Department.
On January 17, 2007, Dartmouth Police renewed their search after obtaining a personal item belonging to Ryan. A police bloodhound tracked him to Cedar Dell Pond. During the search of Cedar Dell Pond and the shoreline with a bloodhound. At 3:55 PM Dartmouth Police notified the District Attorney's office of the discovery of Ryan in two (2) feet of water in Cedar Dell Pond. Based on investigators observations at the pond, no foul play was suspected.
An autopsy report dated March 17, 2007, stated the cause of death was accidental by drowning. The autopsy also revealed cocaine, ethanol intoxication and hypothermia contributed to Ryan's death.
Investigation
The investigation determined Ryan was last seen at 18 Alden Avenue on January 13, 2007, when he fled on foot to avoid the police. The resident of 18 Alden Avenue was Phillip "King Phil" Morris (45), a known member of the Latin Kings gang. When Mr. Morris was interviewed regarding Ryan, Dartmouth police were unaware of his Latin Kings ties. Mr. Morris informed investigators Ryan would hang out at the house along with two (2) of other teenage friends.
In May 2007 Mr. Morris along with thirty-two (32) other Latin King gang members were arrested on federal indictments aimed at dismantling the Latin Kings’ New Bedford chapter.
Conclusion
Dartmouth Police investigators believe Ryan entered the water on his own accord. They admit they received unverified information that Ryan’s body was placed in the water. However, there was no evidence to support that claim.
The District Attorney's office admitted investigators don't know how the teen got into the water, and in regard to the theory Ryan's body was staged or placed there - "we can't comment on that"
On January 12, 2007, Ryan's mother, Anna Maltais, contacts Dartmouth Police reporting her son, Ryan Maltais (18) had borrowed her vehicle without her consent. In the early morning hours of January 13, 2007, Dartmouth Police located the unoccupied vehicle in front of 18 Alden Avenue.
Police searched the area for Ryan but were unable to locate him. A witness explained he saw a teen, later identified as Ryan, running toward Old Westport Road as the police were approaching the unattended vehicle. On January 15, 2007, Ryan's father, George Maltais, files a missing person's report with Dartmouth Police Department.
On January 17, 2007, Dartmouth Police renewed their search after obtaining a personal item belonging to Ryan. A police bloodhound tracked him to Cedar Dell Pond. During the search of Cedar Dell Pond and the shoreline with a bloodhound. At 3:55 PM Dartmouth Police notified the District Attorney's office of the discovery of Ryan in two (2) feet of water in Cedar Dell Pond. Based on investigators observations at the pond, no foul play was suspected.
An autopsy report dated March 17, 2007, stated the cause of death was accidental by drowning. The autopsy also revealed cocaine, ethanol intoxication and hypothermia contributed to Ryan's death.
Investigation
The investigation determined Ryan was last seen at 18 Alden Avenue on January 13, 2007, when he fled on foot to avoid the police. The resident of 18 Alden Avenue was Phillip "King Phil" Morris (45), a known member of the Latin Kings gang. When Mr. Morris was interviewed regarding Ryan, Dartmouth police were unaware of his Latin Kings ties. Mr. Morris informed investigators Ryan would hang out at the house along with two (2) of other teenage friends.
In May 2007 Mr. Morris along with thirty-two (32) other Latin King gang members were arrested on federal indictments aimed at dismantling the Latin Kings’ New Bedford chapter.
Conclusion
Dartmouth Police investigators believe Ryan entered the water on his own accord. They admit they received unverified information that Ryan’s body was placed in the water. However, there was no evidence to support that claim.
The District Attorney's office admitted investigators don't know how the teen got into the water, and in regard to the theory Ryan's body was staged or placed there - "we can't comment on that"
Evergreen Cemetery, Dartmouth