The Northeast on edge: discovery of eighth woman’s remains renew New England killer fears

In a chilling development, authorities recovered the remains of an eighth woman found dead in the Northeastern United States since early March 2025, intensifying public concern over a potential New England serial killer operating in the region. Witnesses reported an unresponsive woman on April 22 near a riverfront bike path in Springfield, Massachusetts, marking the most recent in a series of unsettling discoveries across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine.

The victims: has a disturbing pattern emerged? 

Fears of a SERIAL KILLER stalking quaint New England towns have soared once again after a woman's body, Paige Fannon, was found off a bike path.

EIGHT bodies have been found in this region, all women, in the past couple months, pattern of being left in outdoor settings, pic.twitter.com/fOtc8i1v5M

— Joseph Morris (@JosephMorrisYT) April 24, 2025

Among the identified victims is 35-year-old Paige Fannon, whose body was discovered in Norwalk, Connecticut after she had been reported missing. Similarly, 59-year-old Denise Leary was found in New Haven, Connecticut, also after having been missing for several months. In Rhode Island, the remains of 56-year-old Michele Romano were recovered in the wooded area of Foster, adding to the growing unease.

In addition to these identified individuals, several victims remain unnamed. One woman’s body was found stuffed in a suitcase near a cemetery in Groton, Connecticut, a particularly grim detail that intensified fears of foul play. Another set of unidentified remains was discovered in Killingly, Connecticut, with the cause of death and identity still pending official confirmation. Investigators are also looking into the remains found in Plymouth, Massachusetts, though few details have been released.

In Cape Elizabeth, Maine, the body of a woman who had washed ashore was later identified as 52-year-old Sari Carlson of Portland. Most recently, on April 22, the body of another unidentified woman was discovered near a riverfront bike path in Springfield, Massachusetts, marking the eighth case in a chillingly short span of time.

Authorities urge caution

The proximity in time and geography of these discoveries has led to widespread speculation about a possible serial killer. Online communities, including dedicated Facebook groups and Reddit threads, have been actively discussing potential connections between the cases. One social media theory says a man called the “Grey Tacoma Man” could be responsible, but authorities have said there’s no evidence to support that claim.

Despite public concern, law enforcement agencies have not confirmed any links between the deaths. Authorities emphasize that several of the deaths do not currently show signs of foul play, and investigations are ongoing. They urge the public to avoid jumping to conclusions as autopsies and forensic analyses continue. 

Echoes of past unsolved cases

Based on the current situation, some draw comparisons to historical unsolved cases in New England, such as the Connecticut River Valley Killer, who was believed to be responsible for at least seven murders of young women between 1978 and 1988 in New Hampshire and Vermont.  Similarly, the New Bedford Highway Killer was linked to the deaths of at least nine women in Massachusetts between 1988 and 1989. Others have drawn comparisons to the Gilgo Beach murders on Long Island. 

But, in a Facebook post, one potential victim, Romano’s family, wrote, “In light of the recent comments being made, we know that Michele’s passing is in no way related to any type of serial killer. We have complete faith in the Rhode Island State Police and our Private Investigator that the person responsible will be brought to justice sooner rather than later.”