- Ruth Fuller 1962
Pamela Ann King
Ruth Fuller
On June 30, 1962, Ruth Fuller (40) was discovered strangled to death in her home at 53 Reynolds Street (street no longer exists). The investigation led to the arrest of Jackie Lee Wood (19) of Little Rock Arkansas for 2nd degree murder.
Jackie was a U.S. Sailor assigned to the destroyer Willard Keith that had arrived in New Bedford and was to remain for the July 4th celebrations. Jackie had met Ruth at a local restaurant where she was working as a waitress. After working her shift, she and Jackie returned to her apartment. While in the apartment, Ruth declined Jackie's sexual advances, and he strangled her in the bedroom. Jackie's wallet was recovered from Ruth's bedroom.
Verdict 1963 Jackie Lee Wood
Jackie Lee Wood was acquitted of all charges.
Arkansas Kansas 1964 Jackie Lee Woods Commits Another Murder
On September 15, 1964, Jackie sexually assaulted then strangled Pamela Ann King (17) to death. Pamela's naked body was discovered in a downtown Little Rock Arkansas motel room that was registered to Jackie. Fingerprints from the scene matched Jackie's fingerprints. He was arrested and charged with 1st degree murder.
Verdict 1964 Jackie Lee Wood Paroled 1982 Died 2012
Jackie was found guilty of murder and received a life sentence.
Prison Break 1967
In May 1967 Jackie along with two (2) other prisoners escaped from the Tucker Prison Farm in Tucker Arkansas. The three (3) men had gained entry into a clothing locker and were able to obtain civilian clothing and firearms. After being located by authorities a shoot-out took place, wounding Jackie and killing one of the escape prisoners, William Moore (23).
On June 30, 1962, Ruth Fuller (40) was discovered strangled to death in her home at 53 Reynolds Street (street no longer exists). The investigation led to the arrest of Jackie Lee Wood (19) of Little Rock Arkansas for 2nd degree murder.
Jackie was a U.S. Sailor assigned to the destroyer Willard Keith that had arrived in New Bedford and was to remain for the July 4th celebrations. Jackie had met Ruth at a local restaurant where she was working as a waitress. After working her shift, she and Jackie returned to her apartment. While in the apartment, Ruth declined Jackie's sexual advances, and he strangled her in the bedroom. Jackie's wallet was recovered from Ruth's bedroom.
Verdict 1963 Jackie Lee Wood
Jackie Lee Wood was acquitted of all charges.
Arkansas Kansas 1964 Jackie Lee Woods Commits Another Murder
On September 15, 1964, Jackie sexually assaulted then strangled Pamela Ann King (17) to death. Pamela's naked body was discovered in a downtown Little Rock Arkansas motel room that was registered to Jackie. Fingerprints from the scene matched Jackie's fingerprints. He was arrested and charged with 1st degree murder.
Verdict 1964 Jackie Lee Wood Paroled 1982 Died 2012
Jackie was found guilty of murder and received a life sentence.
Prison Break 1967
In May 1967 Jackie along with two (2) other prisoners escaped from the Tucker Prison Farm in Tucker Arkansas. The three (3) men had gained entry into a clothing locker and were able to obtain civilian clothing and firearms. After being located by authorities a shoot-out took place, wounding Jackie and killing one of the escape prisoners, William Moore (23).
- Louis Carmo 1966
Louis Carmo Suspicious Death 1966
On February 1, 1966, Fairhaven Police received a request for an ambulance at 325 Sconticut Road, the Mullen residence. Police and paramedics arrived and found Louis Carmo (20) frothing at the mouth and struggling to breathe. He was transported to St. Luke's Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Arthur Mullen Jr. and Richard Browne both were interviewed by the police at the scene. The men explained they had spent the previous day drinking and taking drugs. All three went to sleep. In the morning, Richard left, and Arthur woke to find Louis having the medical emergency. Arthur claimed he witnessed Louis take a handful of pills while he was driving him to the Sconticut Neck Road home the previous evening.
At the time, the police reports indicated the circumstances were suspicious. Police picked up Richard at his father's Centre Street drug store, according to a report signed by detective Lt. James L. Doyle. According to Lt. Doyle, a visibly intoxicated Richard got nervous and stopped talking when asked if he had taken any drugs from the family pharmacy.
Richard was placed under arrest for probation violations. Police later conducted an inventory search of the Browne Pharmacy and found a number of drugs missing.
Autopsy 1966
The initial autopsy was conducted by the late Dr. Stanley Koczera. Urine sample indicated a fatal amount of nicotine, five times the level one could expect in a heavy smoker, though Louis didn't smoke at all.
Dr. Stanley Koczera later admitted to Catherine Carmo, the victim's sister, a nurse at St. Lukes Hospital, "I'm sorry, your brother was poisoned with nicotine." Dr. Koczera was later removed from the investigation.
On March 23, 1966, the new medical examiner on the case, identified in reports only as Dr. Curtiss of Harvard Legal Medicine, ruled that the death was due to natural causes. Severe inflammation, trauma and discoloration in the victim's throat was ruled the result of a severe bacterial infection. Dr. Curtiss reported Pneumonia was the cause of death.
Arthur Mullen Jr. and Kenneth "Kenny" Pemberton
On March 12, 1966, Arthur Mullen Jr. was beaten in St. John's Cemetery -- on top of Louis Carmo's grave -- after being lured there from a downtown meeting. Arthur told police Kenny Pemberton, a friend of the Carmo family with a history of violent crime, had assaulted him. Arthur claimed Kenneth and an accomplice hit him with a soda bottle, kicked him and "stomped" on his face. He was then driven back downtown where an unidentified relative of Louis Carmo's drove him to the hospital.
A month after being assaulted, Arthur asked a judge in 3rd District Court to drop assault charges against Kenneth Pemberton. Kenneth Pemberton was later murdered in Fall River in 1972.
Fairhaven Police 1994
In 1994 George Carmo, Louis's father, documented the investigation that resulted in a sizable folder full of reports, medical references and witness statements. Fairhaven Police Chief Edward Silva helped George draft requests to Dr. Michael Baden, a New York forensics expert involved with a number of high-profile cases.
Dr. Baden reviewed all of the investigative evidence in the case, including autopsy and toxicology reports and wrote that he felt the death was "homicidal and should be investigated as such."
District Attorney Walsh said Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Craig Frias reviewed the case after a request by Chief Silva but found nothing significant.
Lawsuit 2001
In 1997, over 30 years after the death of Louis Carmo, The New Bedford Standard Times ran an article on the reopening of the case into Louis Carmo's death. Fairhaven Selectman Attorney Patrick Mullen (brother of Arthur Mullen Jr.) filed a lawsuit against Fairhaven Police Chief Edward Silva and the New Bedford Standard Times for invasion of privacy.
Superior Court Judge Vieri Guy Volterra ruled in favor of The Standard-Times and dismissed the lawsuit. Judge Volterra noted that while the newspaper had published facts about Mr. Carmo's death, and events connected with the life of Arthur Mullen Jr., nothing in the article could be taken as an invasion of privacy. Arthur Mullen Jr. died in 1996 from the complications of drug abuse.
Arthur Mullen Sr. Memorial Bridge 1962
Arthur Mullen Jr. was the son of powerful Fairhaven Democrat and former state senator Arthur Mullen Sr. (1922-1959). The Coggeshall Street Bridge is dedicated to Arthur Mullen Sr. who died unexpectedly at age 37. In 1962 the bridge officially named the Arthur J. Mullen Bridge.
On February 1, 1966, Fairhaven Police received a request for an ambulance at 325 Sconticut Road, the Mullen residence. Police and paramedics arrived and found Louis Carmo (20) frothing at the mouth and struggling to breathe. He was transported to St. Luke's Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Arthur Mullen Jr. and Richard Browne both were interviewed by the police at the scene. The men explained they had spent the previous day drinking and taking drugs. All three went to sleep. In the morning, Richard left, and Arthur woke to find Louis having the medical emergency. Arthur claimed he witnessed Louis take a handful of pills while he was driving him to the Sconticut Neck Road home the previous evening.
At the time, the police reports indicated the circumstances were suspicious. Police picked up Richard at his father's Centre Street drug store, according to a report signed by detective Lt. James L. Doyle. According to Lt. Doyle, a visibly intoxicated Richard got nervous and stopped talking when asked if he had taken any drugs from the family pharmacy.
Richard was placed under arrest for probation violations. Police later conducted an inventory search of the Browne Pharmacy and found a number of drugs missing.
Autopsy 1966
The initial autopsy was conducted by the late Dr. Stanley Koczera. Urine sample indicated a fatal amount of nicotine, five times the level one could expect in a heavy smoker, though Louis didn't smoke at all.
Dr. Stanley Koczera later admitted to Catherine Carmo, the victim's sister, a nurse at St. Lukes Hospital, "I'm sorry, your brother was poisoned with nicotine." Dr. Koczera was later removed from the investigation.
On March 23, 1966, the new medical examiner on the case, identified in reports only as Dr. Curtiss of Harvard Legal Medicine, ruled that the death was due to natural causes. Severe inflammation, trauma and discoloration in the victim's throat was ruled the result of a severe bacterial infection. Dr. Curtiss reported Pneumonia was the cause of death.
Arthur Mullen Jr. and Kenneth "Kenny" Pemberton
On March 12, 1966, Arthur Mullen Jr. was beaten in St. John's Cemetery -- on top of Louis Carmo's grave -- after being lured there from a downtown meeting. Arthur told police Kenny Pemberton, a friend of the Carmo family with a history of violent crime, had assaulted him. Arthur claimed Kenneth and an accomplice hit him with a soda bottle, kicked him and "stomped" on his face. He was then driven back downtown where an unidentified relative of Louis Carmo's drove him to the hospital.
A month after being assaulted, Arthur asked a judge in 3rd District Court to drop assault charges against Kenneth Pemberton. Kenneth Pemberton was later murdered in Fall River in 1972.
Fairhaven Police 1994
In 1994 George Carmo, Louis's father, documented the investigation that resulted in a sizable folder full of reports, medical references and witness statements. Fairhaven Police Chief Edward Silva helped George draft requests to Dr. Michael Baden, a New York forensics expert involved with a number of high-profile cases.
Dr. Baden reviewed all of the investigative evidence in the case, including autopsy and toxicology reports and wrote that he felt the death was "homicidal and should be investigated as such."
District Attorney Walsh said Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Craig Frias reviewed the case after a request by Chief Silva but found nothing significant.
Lawsuit 2001
In 1997, over 30 years after the death of Louis Carmo, The New Bedford Standard Times ran an article on the reopening of the case into Louis Carmo's death. Fairhaven Selectman Attorney Patrick Mullen (brother of Arthur Mullen Jr.) filed a lawsuit against Fairhaven Police Chief Edward Silva and the New Bedford Standard Times for invasion of privacy.
Superior Court Judge Vieri Guy Volterra ruled in favor of The Standard-Times and dismissed the lawsuit. Judge Volterra noted that while the newspaper had published facts about Mr. Carmo's death, and events connected with the life of Arthur Mullen Jr., nothing in the article could be taken as an invasion of privacy. Arthur Mullen Jr. died in 1996 from the complications of drug abuse.
Arthur Mullen Sr. Memorial Bridge 1962
Arthur Mullen Jr. was the son of powerful Fairhaven Democrat and former state senator Arthur Mullen Sr. (1922-1959). The Coggeshall Street Bridge is dedicated to Arthur Mullen Sr. who died unexpectedly at age 37. In 1962 the bridge officially named the Arthur J. Mullen Bridge.
- Mary Silveira 1976
Mary D. Silveira
On January 15, 1976, Mary Silveira (64) was discovered badly beaten and strangled in her bedroom at 235 Green Street. A neighbor had made the discovery when she noticed the shades were closed during the day and her telephone had a busy signal. Fairhaven Police reported there was evidence of a struggle and that Mary's body was found on top of magazines that had been thrown around the second-floor bedroom where a telephone was also off the hook. Additionally, a window was broken at the front of the house, and a second window and lock were also broken on the front door.
Autopsy results determined the cause of death was from internal injuries caused by strangulation and a beating that left her chest cavity and one side of her head crushed and two of her ribs broken.
Silveira had been married Dr. Filbert Silveira, a member of the Fairhaven Board of Health. They had divorced 15 years prior to her death.
All the suspects In Mary Silveira's murder are now dead.
On January 15, 1976, Mary Silveira (64) was discovered badly beaten and strangled in her bedroom at 235 Green Street. A neighbor had made the discovery when she noticed the shades were closed during the day and her telephone had a busy signal. Fairhaven Police reported there was evidence of a struggle and that Mary's body was found on top of magazines that had been thrown around the second-floor bedroom where a telephone was also off the hook. Additionally, a window was broken at the front of the house, and a second window and lock were also broken on the front door.
Autopsy results determined the cause of death was from internal injuries caused by strangulation and a beating that left her chest cavity and one side of her head crushed and two of her ribs broken.
Silveira had been married Dr. Filbert Silveira, a member of the Fairhaven Board of Health. They had divorced 15 years prior to her death.
All the suspects In Mary Silveira's murder are now dead.
- Keith Olson 1985
Keith Olson
On April 8, 1985, the skeletal remains of an adult male along with remnants of his clothing were found 45 feet from the highway in the woods along the westbound side of Interstate 195. Several shell casings and a pack of cigarettes were also recovered. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide and was likely murdered 1 to 3 years prior to the discovery of the remains.
Remains Identified 2023
The skeletal remains have been positively identified as Keith Olson (27) of Cranston R.I. Keith was reported missing on April 15, 1981, to the Cranston Rhode Island Police Department.
Investigators learned Keith was dating a woman and the relationship resulted in tension between Keith and the woman's ex-boyfriend, John Broccoli (1956-2019). A witness to Keith's 1981 disappearance said two (2) men escorted Keith from his Cranston apartment. On the same day that Keith was last seen, John Broccoli, made cryptic statements to the woman who had been dating Keith that suggested his possible involvement. John Broccoli was named as a suspect in the murder of Keith Olson. Investigators believe another unknown individual was involved with the murder.
Background on Keith Olson
Keith had served time for manslaughter in the 1970s. In 1974, Keith, then 20 and living in North Providence, was charged with murder in the death of Daryle W. Thomas (24) whose body had been found in the Ten Mile River near the East Providence-Seekonk line.
Later that year, after prosecutors requested a charge reduction, Keith plead guilty to manslaughter in Providence Superior Court.
Judge Eugene G. Gallant gave Keith ten (10) 10 years to serve in prison with five (5) years suspended. As part of the same incident, Keith had assaulted and kidnapped another young man at gunpoint. He received concurrent terms of five (5) years for each of those offenses.
On April 8, 1985, the skeletal remains of an adult male along with remnants of his clothing were found 45 feet from the highway in the woods along the westbound side of Interstate 195. Several shell casings and a pack of cigarettes were also recovered. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide and was likely murdered 1 to 3 years prior to the discovery of the remains.
Remains Identified 2023
The skeletal remains have been positively identified as Keith Olson (27) of Cranston R.I. Keith was reported missing on April 15, 1981, to the Cranston Rhode Island Police Department.
Investigators learned Keith was dating a woman and the relationship resulted in tension between Keith and the woman's ex-boyfriend, John Broccoli (1956-2019). A witness to Keith's 1981 disappearance said two (2) men escorted Keith from his Cranston apartment. On the same day that Keith was last seen, John Broccoli, made cryptic statements to the woman who had been dating Keith that suggested his possible involvement. John Broccoli was named as a suspect in the murder of Keith Olson. Investigators believe another unknown individual was involved with the murder.
Background on Keith Olson
Keith had served time for manslaughter in the 1970s. In 1974, Keith, then 20 and living in North Providence, was charged with murder in the death of Daryle W. Thomas (24) whose body had been found in the Ten Mile River near the East Providence-Seekonk line.
Later that year, after prosecutors requested a charge reduction, Keith plead guilty to manslaughter in Providence Superior Court.
Judge Eugene G. Gallant gave Keith ten (10) 10 years to serve in prison with five (5) years suspended. As part of the same incident, Keith had assaulted and kidnapped another young man at gunpoint. He received concurrent terms of five (5) years for each of those offenses.
- Joseph Mello 1989
Joseph Charles Mello
On June 22, 1989, Fairhaven police were called to 136 Sycamore Street for a death. Initially police found no signs of trauma or violence. The Medical Examiner located a stab wound during the autopsy. The death was ruled a homicide. The murder weapon was never recovered; a suspect was never identified.
On June 22, 1989, Fairhaven police were called to 136 Sycamore Street for a death. Initially police found no signs of trauma or violence. The Medical Examiner located a stab wound during the autopsy. The death was ruled a homicide. The murder weapon was never recovered; a suspect was never identified.