- Catherine M. Sproul 1978
Catherine Mary Sproul Unsolved Murder 1978
On December 2, 1978, the body of Catherine Sproul (15) was discovered in her home at 105 Paul Bunker Drive. Autopsy determined cause of death was manual strangulation. There is speculation a family member was involved.
On December 2, 1978, the body of Catherine Sproul (15) was discovered in her home at 105 Paul Bunker Drive. Autopsy determined cause of death was manual strangulation. There is speculation a family member was involved.
St. Joseph's Cemetery
- Skeletal Remains 1984
Skeletal Remains Suspicious Death 1984 On August 30, 1984, Taunton Police received a report of the discovery of some skeletal remains at a construction site in Taunton. Police responded to the Myles Standish Industrial Park and observed human bones that had been discovered as dirt was being moved by heavy equipment on the site. The contractor indicated that dirt had been trucked to the construction site, but the origin of the dirt could not be determined. At that time, the recovered bones were sent to the FBI for further examination.
The bones were ultimately determined to be from the lower right leg of an adult who would have been over 30 years of age. The recovered bones included the tibia, fibula and foot bones that were still contained in a wool sock. The FBI also determined that the bones were estimated to have been exposed to the elements for at least 10 to 15 years prior to the discovery.
The bones were ultimately determined to be from the lower right leg of an adult who would have been over 30 years of age. The recovered bones included the tibia, fibula and foot bones that were still contained in a wool sock. The FBI also determined that the bones were estimated to have been exposed to the elements for at least 10 to 15 years prior to the discovery.
- Charlene L. Garza 1986
Charlene L. Garza
On February 8, 1986, the body of Charlene "Lynn" Garza (24) was discovered 250 feet into Crosby's Apple Orchard behind a building at 1940 County Street along Route 140. The grim discovery was made by Mr. Crosby himself. Garza was reported missing on January 26, 1986, by her mother to the Taunton Police Department.
Charlene attended a Superbowl party, along with her mother and her mother's husband on January 26, 1986, at Artie's Pub on Weir Street in Taunton. They all left together and went to her mother's home. Her mother told investigators she went to bed and never saw Charlene return home again.
The autopsy determined she had been assaulted, suffering head wounds and was stabbed several times. Investigators determined her body was laying in the snow for at least five (5) days.
Charlene is buried in Mayflower Hill Cemetery.
A former boyfriend, Marshall O'Brien (1947-1994) was questioned however he was incarcerated at the time and was serving a five (5) year sentence for heroin distribution. O'Brien died while serving out the prison term.
On February 8, 1986, the body of Charlene "Lynn" Garza (24) was discovered 250 feet into Crosby's Apple Orchard behind a building at 1940 County Street along Route 140. The grim discovery was made by Mr. Crosby himself. Garza was reported missing on January 26, 1986, by her mother to the Taunton Police Department.
Charlene attended a Superbowl party, along with her mother and her mother's husband on January 26, 1986, at Artie's Pub on Weir Street in Taunton. They all left together and went to her mother's home. Her mother told investigators she went to bed and never saw Charlene return home again.
The autopsy determined she had been assaulted, suffering head wounds and was stabbed several times. Investigators determined her body was laying in the snow for at least five (5) days.
Charlene is buried in Mayflower Hill Cemetery.
A former boyfriend, Marshall O'Brien (1947-1994) was questioned however he was incarcerated at the time and was serving a five (5) year sentence for heroin distribution. O'Brien died while serving out the prison term.
Death Certificate : Charlene Garza
- James Marvel 2004
James Marvel
On September 2, 2004, James Marvel (44) was discovered stabbed to death in his apartment at 8 Kilmer Avenue. James was found by concerned co-workers who checked on him after he missed a day of work from his job at Taunton State Hospital. No suspects were ever identified; murder weapon was never recovered.
On September 2, 2004, James Marvel (44) was discovered stabbed to death in his apartment at 8 Kilmer Avenue. James was found by concerned co-workers who checked on him after he missed a day of work from his job at Taunton State Hospital. No suspects were ever identified; murder weapon was never recovered.
- Devon Hodo 2008
Devon Hodo
On June 8, 2008, approximately 1:06AM Taunton Police respond to reports of a fight in the street at 65 First Street. Upon arrival police discover some articles of clothing, but no complainant, or victims.
A short time later, Taunton Police were notified by Morton Hospital of five (5) stabbing victims. Police arrived and learned Devon Hobo (16) had died of stab wounds, two (2) male teenagers had been admitted and three (3) were being treated and expected to be released. The wounded teenagers were transported to the hospital by friends.
The deadly fight began as an argument on June 7, 2008, between two groups of teenagers, who a few hours before had attended a birthday party for a 15-year-old girl at the VFW hall in Dighton. Taunton Police assisted Dighton Police at the VFW for a large party that became unmanageable.
The groups left Dighton, drove into Taunton, first to face off at Paul Bunker Drive's apartment complex, then met at the Charles L. Flannery Memorial Playground on First Street.
There were several witnesses to the stabbing. A 15-year-old boy was arrested and charges with armed assault with intent to murder for his role in the brawl and the stabbing of the others involved. The juvenile wasn't charged with the death of Hodo. Investigators were looking into a possible connection between rival gangs from Brockton and Taunton.
On June 8, 2008, approximately 1:06AM Taunton Police respond to reports of a fight in the street at 65 First Street. Upon arrival police discover some articles of clothing, but no complainant, or victims.
A short time later, Taunton Police were notified by Morton Hospital of five (5) stabbing victims. Police arrived and learned Devon Hobo (16) had died of stab wounds, two (2) male teenagers had been admitted and three (3) were being treated and expected to be released. The wounded teenagers were transported to the hospital by friends.
The deadly fight began as an argument on June 7, 2008, between two groups of teenagers, who a few hours before had attended a birthday party for a 15-year-old girl at the VFW hall in Dighton. Taunton Police assisted Dighton Police at the VFW for a large party that became unmanageable.
The groups left Dighton, drove into Taunton, first to face off at Paul Bunker Drive's apartment complex, then met at the Charles L. Flannery Memorial Playground on First Street.
There were several witnesses to the stabbing. A 15-year-old boy was arrested and charges with armed assault with intent to murder for his role in the brawl and the stabbing of the others involved. The juvenile wasn't charged with the death of Hodo. Investigators were looking into a possible connection between rival gangs from Brockton and Taunton.
- Joseph E. Dugan Jr. 2010
Joseph E. Dugan Jr.
On July 8, 2010, at approximately 12:15 AM Taunton Police responded to 11 Granite Avenue for a reported shooting. Police arrived and discovered the victim, Joseph E. Dugan Jr. (33), suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Joseph was transported to Morton Hospital and later transferred to Boston Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Witnesses reported seeing a black male wearing a hoodie run from the scene and jump into a dark Dodge Intrepid parked a block away. A Dodge Intrepid, which reportedly was seen driving into Taunton State Hospital with its headlights off, was found later that morning in front of a house on Maple Street.
Investigators determined Joseph's murder was likely the result of an act of retribution by friends of the late Tigan Hollingsworth. Jeremy Rhoden and Donnelle Bates were friends with Tigan and had been a pallbearer at his funeral.
In 2015 Kevin Bates, uncle to Donnelle Bates, confessed to picking up Donnelle and Jeremy from the murder scene on July 8, 2010. During that ride Jeremy Rhoden admitted to being the shooter. Kevin Bates, already incarcerated on unrelated charges, accepted a plea deal for a lighter prison sentence on federal gun and drug charges in exchange for his testimony.
Verdicts Donnelle Bates & Jeremy Rhoden
Donnelle and Jeremy were found not guilty of murder.
On July 8, 2010, at approximately 12:15 AM Taunton Police responded to 11 Granite Avenue for a reported shooting. Police arrived and discovered the victim, Joseph E. Dugan Jr. (33), suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Joseph was transported to Morton Hospital and later transferred to Boston Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Witnesses reported seeing a black male wearing a hoodie run from the scene and jump into a dark Dodge Intrepid parked a block away. A Dodge Intrepid, which reportedly was seen driving into Taunton State Hospital with its headlights off, was found later that morning in front of a house on Maple Street.
Investigators determined Joseph's murder was likely the result of an act of retribution by friends of the late Tigan Hollingsworth. Jeremy Rhoden and Donnelle Bates were friends with Tigan and had been a pallbearer at his funeral.
In 2015 Kevin Bates, uncle to Donnelle Bates, confessed to picking up Donnelle and Jeremy from the murder scene on July 8, 2010. During that ride Jeremy Rhoden admitted to being the shooter. Kevin Bates, already incarcerated on unrelated charges, accepted a plea deal for a lighter prison sentence on federal gun and drug charges in exchange for his testimony.
Verdicts Donnelle Bates & Jeremy Rhoden
Donnelle and Jeremy were found not guilty of murder.
- Edwin Rivera Jr. 2013
Edwin Rivera Jr.
On November 25, 2013, the mutilated body of Edwin Rivera (24) was discovered on the railroad tracks near Cushman Street. The initial investigation focused on Edwin being ran over by the train.
Autopsy results determined Edwin had been shot twice prior to being placed on the railroad tracks. His death was ruled a homicide. No shell casings were located; the murder weapon was never recovered.
Investigation
Flavio Daveiga (23) was arrested and charged with being an accessory to murder before the fact and violating the witness intimidation statute. Investigators determined the homicide was a direct result of a drug debt Edwin owed to Flavio.
Verdict
Flavio Daveiga acquitted of murder. He was convicted of witness intimidation.
Unsolved Death 2006 Odesys Rivera
On June 2, 2006, approximately 10:00 PM Odesys Rivera (14), Edwin's brother, was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking home from Silver City Skateland on Lawton Street in Taunton. The vehicle fled.
On November 25, 2013, the mutilated body of Edwin Rivera (24) was discovered on the railroad tracks near Cushman Street. The initial investigation focused on Edwin being ran over by the train.
Autopsy results determined Edwin had been shot twice prior to being placed on the railroad tracks. His death was ruled a homicide. No shell casings were located; the murder weapon was never recovered.
Investigation
Flavio Daveiga (23) was arrested and charged with being an accessory to murder before the fact and violating the witness intimidation statute. Investigators determined the homicide was a direct result of a drug debt Edwin owed to Flavio.
Verdict
Flavio Daveiga acquitted of murder. He was convicted of witness intimidation.
Unsolved Death 2006 Odesys Rivera
On June 2, 2006, approximately 10:00 PM Odesys Rivera (14), Edwin's brother, was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking home from Silver City Skateland on Lawton Street in Taunton. The vehicle fled.
- Jean Carlos Lopez 2020
Jean Carlos Lopez
On November 3, 2020, approximately 4PM Jean Carlos Lopez (30) was discovered shot three (3) times outside of his home at 23 Myrtle Street. He was transported to Morton Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
In 2013, Jean Carlos Lopez was convicted of 1st-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Tigan Hollingsworth. In March 2020 the Supreme Judicial Court reversed that conviction citing discrepancies in evidence. The state was not able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jean Carlos was present at the time of Tigan Hollingworth's murder.
Verdict 2024 Kali Hollingsworth
Kali Hollingsworth (26) was found not guilty of all charges. Kali is the brother of Tigan Hollingsworth who was murdered on June 25, 2010.
On November 3, 2020, approximately 4PM Jean Carlos Lopez (30) was discovered shot three (3) times outside of his home at 23 Myrtle Street. He was transported to Morton Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
In 2013, Jean Carlos Lopez was convicted of 1st-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Tigan Hollingsworth. In March 2020 the Supreme Judicial Court reversed that conviction citing discrepancies in evidence. The state was not able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jean Carlos was present at the time of Tigan Hollingworth's murder.
Verdict 2024 Kali Hollingsworth
Kali Hollingsworth (26) was found not guilty of all charges. Kali is the brother of Tigan Hollingsworth who was murdered on June 25, 2010.
- Colby R. Dowling 2022
Colby R. Dowling Suspicious Death 2022
On September 21, 2022, at approximately 11PM Taunton Police were called to 52 Tremont Street for a report of a woman suffering a gunshot wound. Police arrived and located Colby Dowling (26) deceased inside the apartment. The apartment was occupied by over ten (10) individuals at the time of the incident.
Investigators determined the shooting may have been accidental.
On September 21, 2022, at approximately 11PM Taunton Police were called to 52 Tremont Street for a report of a woman suffering a gunshot wound. Police arrived and located Colby Dowling (26) deceased inside the apartment. The apartment was occupied by over ten (10) individuals at the time of the incident.
Investigators determined the shooting may have been accidental.