5 Chilling Facts About Massachusetts' Most Notorious And Recently Identified Serial Killers

The dark history of Massachusetts is punctuated by some of America’s most infamous serial killer cases, but the narrative is not confined to the distant past. As of this current date, December 13, 2025, the state has been grappling with the identification of a new alleged serial killer linked to a series of cold cases, injecting fresh urgency into decades-old investigations and reigniting public fear across New England. This article delves into the profiles of the three most notorious figures whose crimes have scarred the Commonwealth, focusing heavily on the most recent, chilling developments.

From the Victorian-era "Boston Belfry Murderer" to the notorious "Boston Strangler," Massachusetts has been a grim backdrop for predatory crime. The most recent and significant development involves a man already incarcerated for murder, who authorities have now officially labeled a serial killer, connecting him to a string of previously unsolved homicides, particularly targeting vulnerable populations. Understanding these cases provides a stark look at the evolution of criminal investigation and the persistent shadow of true crime in the region.

The Newest Name on the List: Kevin Lino's Cold Case Spree

The case of Kevin Lino represents the most recent and relevant update in the history of Massachusetts serial killers, with authorities formally linking him to multiple cold-case murders. Lino, a man already serving time for two separate homicides, has been identified as a serial killer whose alleged spree spanned years and crossed state lines.

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Kevin Lino: Biographical Profile and Crime Details

• Full Name: Kevin J. Lino
• Aliases: The Lowell Serial Killer (Unofficial)
• Born: Circa 1987 (Age 38 as of 2025)
• Hometown/Residence: Lowell, Massachusetts
• Victim Profile: Primarily homeless men, or those experiencing homelessness, making the crimes particularly difficult to track initially.
• Confirmed Murders: Normand Varieur (Boston, 2012) and Jack Gilbert Berry (Missoula, Montana, 2014).
• Indicted/Alleged Murders: Linked to the murders of two other men, bringing the total alleged victims to four in Massachusetts alone, with potential links to others.
• Time Span of Crimes: Approximately 2010 to 2014.
• Current Status: Serving a life sentence for the two confirmed murders and facing new indictments in Massachusetts cold cases.

The discovery of Lino's wider alleged crime spree came through diligent cold case work, which connected the seemingly unrelated murders of men in various locations. Authorities, including the Middlesex District Attorney, have stated that Lino systematically targeted vulnerable individuals, often those living on the streets or in precarious situations. The revelation that a man convicted of two murders was allegedly responsible for a longer, darker pattern of killings has profoundly impacted the Lowell and Boston communities.

The investigation into Lino’s connections has also fueled online speculation and media coverage regarding a potential wider "New England serial killer." While Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble has publicly stated there is "no hard evidence" of a single, active killer currently terrorizing the entire region, the agency is actively tracking cases and remains mindful of the rumors, demonstrating a high level of vigilance in the wake of the Lino case.

The Shadow of the 1960s: Albert DeSalvo, The Boston Strangler

No discussion of serial killers in Massachusetts is complete without examining the chilling reign of the "Boston Strangler." Albert DeSalvo's crimes terrorized the city of Boston in the early 1960s, forever changing the perception of safety for women living alone.

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Albert DeSalvo: Biographical Profile and Crime Details

• Full Name: Albert Henry DeSalvo
• Aliases: The Boston Strangler, The Green Man (for earlier sexual assaults)
• Born: September 3, 1931
• Died: November 25, 1973 (Murdered in prison)
• Hometown/Residence: Chelsea, Massachusetts
• Victim Profile: Women ranging from age 19 to 85, typically found sexually assaulted and strangled with articles of clothing.
• Number of Victims: 13 women were murdered between 1962 and 1964.
• Key Victims: Anna Slesers, Mary Sullivan, and others across the Boston area.
• Time Span of Crimes: June 1962 to January 1964.

DeSalvo, a family man and former military member, confessed to the 13 murders, though he was never formally tried or convicted for the Strangler crimes themselves. He was instead convicted and imprisoned for a series of unrelated sexual assaults, known as the "Green Man" attacks. His confession, while detailed, was met with skepticism by some investigators who believed the 13 murders may have been the work of multiple individuals.

The most significant modern update to the case came in 2013, decades after his death. DNA evidence definitively linked DeSalvo to the murder of the final victim, 19-year-old Mary Sullivan. This forensic breakthrough, using advanced techniques on decades-old evidence, solidified DeSalvo's role in at least one of the Strangler murders and provided a measure of closure to the victim's family, even as some questions about the other 12 cases linger among true crime enthusiasts and historians.

Echoes from the 19th Century: Thomas Piper, The Boston Belfry Murderer

Long before the Boston Strangler, the city was gripped by the crimes of Thomas W. Piper, a figure who stands as one of the Commonwealth’s earliest documented serial killers. His crimes, which took place in the 1870s, are a stark reminder that serial violence is not a modern phenomenon.

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Thomas Piper: Biographical Profile and Crime Details

• Full Name: Thomas W. Piper
• Aliases: The Boston Belfry Murderer, The Boston Woman-Killer, Piper the Murderer
• Born: Circa 1849 (Canadian-born)
• Profession: Sexton (Church caretaker) at the Warren Street Baptist Church.
• Victim Profile: Women and children, with at least one victim being a child.
• Number of Victims: 2 to 4 victims.
• Key Victim: Mabel Young, a 5-year-old girl murdered in the belfry of the Warren Street Baptist Church.
• Time Span of Crimes: Approximately 1873 to 1875.

Piper used his position as a church sexton to gain access to his victims, most notably Mabel Young, whom he raped and murdered in the church belfry in May 1875. He was also linked to the murder of Bridget Landrigan and possibly others, showing a pattern of violence and sexual assault. Piper was classified as a child killer and serial arsonist in addition to his murders. He was ultimately convicted of first-degree murder for the death of Mabel Young and sentenced to death, though he reportedly died by suicide in prison before his execution could be carried out.

The historical case of Thomas Piper serves as a foundational entity in the study of Massachusetts serial crime. His moniker, the "Boston Belfry Murderer," highlights the shocking juxtaposition of his crimes occurring within a place of worship, a detail that amplified the terror and public fascination of the Victorian era.

The Persistent Threat: Modern Cold Cases and Law Enforcement Vigilance

The recent identification of Kevin Lino underscores the crucial importance of modern forensic science and dedicated cold case units in Massachusetts. The state’s law enforcement agencies continue to review decades of unsolved homicides, utilizing DNA technology and advanced behavioral analysis to bring closure to victims' families.

The ongoing rumors of a "New England serial killer," while officially unconfirmed as a single active entity, have prompted increased cooperation between state police forces in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. This inter-state vigilance is a direct response to the public's concern and the grim reality that serial offenders, like Lino, often operate across jurisdictional lines. The efforts of the Hamden County DA and Massachusetts State Police to track every lead and address public fears demonstrate a commitment to preventing future tragedies and solving the historical puzzles left behind by figures like DeSalvo and Piper, ensuring that no killer, whether past or present, remains in the shadows.