- Ruth McGurk 1946
Ruth McGurk
Ruth McGurk (25), from Cambridge, was a frequent visitor in Onset for several years. Ruth was recently engaged to Arthur Doucette.
On July 27, 1946, Ruth along with her friends Helen Leary and Ruth Jefferson arrived in Onset by train from Boston. They booked a room at West Central Avenue rooming house, had lunch and went to the beach. Later that night the group went to the Colonial Casino, better known as the Onset Casino to dance. The Onset Casino was located at Onset Avenue and 10th Street. In 1963 The Onset Casino was destroyed by fire.
Just after 10PM Ruth approached her friends and told them she was going out with "Frank", the gentleman she had been dancing with. Ruth told the friends "Frank" was from Onset and she didn't expect to be out late. She expected to go for ice cream, since she didn't drink alcohol. The friends described "Frank" as being short, possibly 5'2 140 pounds and between the age of 25-30.
On July 28, 1946, Ruth McGurk was reporting missing to the Wareham Police Department.
On July 29, 1946, searches were conducted through the woods in Onset and East Wareham, including Great Neck. Empty shacks, yachts, boats were checked.
Ruth's Body Discovered
On August 1, 1946, John E. Laine reported to police that there was a body in the Green Lodge Reservoir (now called Gibbs Reservoir). The body of a women was floating on the surface about 20 feet from the edge of the reservoir near the road. The body was clothed, wearing a pink dress. In searching the area, a woman's handkerchief was located, which was later positively belonging to Ruth.
Several of her teeth were knocked out, her body was severely bruised. Her pink dress and slip were pulled over her shoulders, appeared she had been sexually assaulted. Her engagement ring however was still on her hand. An autopsy showed she had been dead for about four days.
Police guessed she was killed within hours of leaving the Colonial Casino with “Frank” and her lifeless body dumped in the reservoir.
Ruth McGurk (25), from Cambridge, was a frequent visitor in Onset for several years. Ruth was recently engaged to Arthur Doucette.
On July 27, 1946, Ruth along with her friends Helen Leary and Ruth Jefferson arrived in Onset by train from Boston. They booked a room at West Central Avenue rooming house, had lunch and went to the beach. Later that night the group went to the Colonial Casino, better known as the Onset Casino to dance. The Onset Casino was located at Onset Avenue and 10th Street. In 1963 The Onset Casino was destroyed by fire.
Just after 10PM Ruth approached her friends and told them she was going out with "Frank", the gentleman she had been dancing with. Ruth told the friends "Frank" was from Onset and she didn't expect to be out late. She expected to go for ice cream, since she didn't drink alcohol. The friends described "Frank" as being short, possibly 5'2 140 pounds and between the age of 25-30.
On July 28, 1946, Ruth McGurk was reporting missing to the Wareham Police Department.
On July 29, 1946, searches were conducted through the woods in Onset and East Wareham, including Great Neck. Empty shacks, yachts, boats were checked.
Ruth's Body Discovered
On August 1, 1946, John E. Laine reported to police that there was a body in the Green Lodge Reservoir (now called Gibbs Reservoir). The body of a women was floating on the surface about 20 feet from the edge of the reservoir near the road. The body was clothed, wearing a pink dress. In searching the area, a woman's handkerchief was located, which was later positively belonging to Ruth.
Several of her teeth were knocked out, her body was severely bruised. Her pink dress and slip were pulled over her shoulders, appeared she had been sexually assaulted. Her engagement ring however was still on her hand. An autopsy showed she had been dead for about four days.
Police guessed she was killed within hours of leaving the Colonial Casino with “Frank” and her lifeless body dumped in the reservoir.
Ruth McGurk
Charles R. Goodale
Charles Russell Goodale (25) lived on Onset Avenue just a few hundred yards from the Onset Casino. Charles was previously charged with assault on a female from Lowell which allegedly occurred after a dance. The assault charge was later dropped. Charles was employed with a local cranberry company at the nearby bogs since May 1946. He pleaded not guilty in the assault case but came under investigation for Ruth's murder.
Charles, when questioned, admitted being at the Onset Casino the night Ruth went missing, but said he never met her. Instead, Charles claimed he met another woman and they left together around 10:15 PM. He couldn't recall her name.
Charles stated they stopped at two (2) Buzzards Bay locations, Tiny' Jim's which was crowded so they left. They went to King Midas Restaurant where they each had an alcohol drink. Charles then dropped her off back in Onset and arrived home around midnight.
On August 18, 1946, Charles Russell Goodale was arrested for reasonable suspicion in connection to the murder of Ruth McGurk.
Verdict 1947 Charles R. Goodale
The trial began on mid-May 1947 and last for fifteen (15) days. Charles took the stand in his own defense and denied killing Ruth McGurk. Helen Leary and Ruth Jefferson both identified Charles as "Frank" during the trial. There was testimony by witnesses that Charles had been seen at the two (2) stops in Buzzards Bay the night of the murder.
Massachusetts State Police chemist also testified that three strands of hair taken from his car were similar to Ruth's. This was before DNA technology and the prosecution’s expert witness had to acknowledge the hairs could have come from anyone.
On May 30, 1947, Charles Goodale was found not guilty. Charles left Onset and moved to Florida.
Charles Goodale died on December 28, 2009, and was interred in the Florida National Cemetery.
Charles Russell Goodale (25) lived on Onset Avenue just a few hundred yards from the Onset Casino. Charles was previously charged with assault on a female from Lowell which allegedly occurred after a dance. The assault charge was later dropped. Charles was employed with a local cranberry company at the nearby bogs since May 1946. He pleaded not guilty in the assault case but came under investigation for Ruth's murder.
Charles, when questioned, admitted being at the Onset Casino the night Ruth went missing, but said he never met her. Instead, Charles claimed he met another woman and they left together around 10:15 PM. He couldn't recall her name.
Charles stated they stopped at two (2) Buzzards Bay locations, Tiny' Jim's which was crowded so they left. They went to King Midas Restaurant where they each had an alcohol drink. Charles then dropped her off back in Onset and arrived home around midnight.
On August 18, 1946, Charles Russell Goodale was arrested for reasonable suspicion in connection to the murder of Ruth McGurk.
Verdict 1947 Charles R. Goodale
The trial began on mid-May 1947 and last for fifteen (15) days. Charles took the stand in his own defense and denied killing Ruth McGurk. Helen Leary and Ruth Jefferson both identified Charles as "Frank" during the trial. There was testimony by witnesses that Charles had been seen at the two (2) stops in Buzzards Bay the night of the murder.
Massachusetts State Police chemist also testified that three strands of hair taken from his car were similar to Ruth's. This was before DNA technology and the prosecution’s expert witness had to acknowledge the hairs could have come from anyone.
On May 30, 1947, Charles Goodale was found not guilty. Charles left Onset and moved to Florida.
Charles Goodale died on December 28, 2009, and was interred in the Florida National Cemetery.
- Devyn Murphy 2002
Devyn J. Murphy
On October 13, 2002, Devyn J. Murphy (16) was stabbed to death at 4 Weaver Street in Onset. There was an altercation outside the residence during a party. He was stabbed once in the abdomen by another male at about 1:30 a.m. and was pronounced dead at Tobey Hospital five hours later.
The party was attended by approximately 30 people when an altercation took place. Not one person who attended the house party or witnessed the altercation have come forward with any information. Authorities said unwelcome partygoers from neighboring Town of Bourne might have caused the deadly altercation.
It is strongly believed that there are several people that may know who killed Devyn, but either are afraid or refuse to come forward.
On October 13, 2002, Devyn J. Murphy (16) was stabbed to death at 4 Weaver Street in Onset. There was an altercation outside the residence during a party. He was stabbed once in the abdomen by another male at about 1:30 a.m. and was pronounced dead at Tobey Hospital five hours later.
The party was attended by approximately 30 people when an altercation took place. Not one person who attended the house party or witnessed the altercation have come forward with any information. Authorities said unwelcome partygoers from neighboring Town of Bourne might have caused the deadly altercation.
It is strongly believed that there are several people that may know who killed Devyn, but either are afraid or refuse to come forward.
- Amy Nadolny 2025
Amy Nadolny Suspicious Death 2025 Amy Nadolny (41) had a history of substance abuse when she went missing on September 7, 2025, in Wareham. She was last seen near the Narrows Crossing restaurant in Wareham, where she had called for a ride.
On September 19, 2025, approximately 10AM Massachusetts State Police located her remains in a wooded area along train tracks near 149 Main Street. This location is 0.7 miles from where she was last seen. The wooded area is known as a homeless encampment.
Medical Examiner's Findings 2026
The Medical Examiner's Office has not been able to determine the cause and manner of her death.
On September 19, 2025, approximately 10AM Massachusetts State Police located her remains in a wooded area along train tracks near 149 Main Street. This location is 0.7 miles from where she was last seen. The wooded area is known as a homeless encampment.
Medical Examiner's Findings 2026
The Medical Examiner's Office has not been able to determine the cause and manner of her death.