The Short Arc of a Falling StarrLawyers Weekly
December 5, 2024 When Starr Faithfull went missing from her New York City home, her stepfather, Stanley, earnestly told the police that the attractive 25-year-old was virtuous, naive, and innocent. Officers quickly discovered that little of what Stanley revealed was accurate. Before long, the trail led to a major politician who, at various times, had been a congressman, assistant Treasury secretary, and mayor of Boston. That was the least controversial part of Starr’s story, for it is not known even to this day whether she was murdered, committed suicide, or accidentally drowned. What is known is that while neither she nor her stepfather, mother or younger sister Tucker ever worked, they managed to get by. Read more. |
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Decades later, few clues in Swedish nanny caseJanuary 23, 2020
A homeless man searching for whatever treasures might be found on the city streets of Boston or in one of its large, dirty dumpsters happened upon a bound black trash bag. When he opened it, an arm popped out. When the police opened it more fully, they discovered the unclothed upper half of a body. On a Friday between June 19 and June 25, Swedes throughout the world celebrate one of their most festive holidays, commemorating the longest day of the year when it essentially stays light the entire day. After a long winter of darkness ruling the skies and clock, the native population is ready to let loose. Read more. |
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The lady of the dunes
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
January 25, 2018 It’s late afternoon on Friday, July 26, 1974. A 13-year-old is frolicking with her dog in the empty dunes of Race Point Beach in Provincetown, a mile or so east of the ranger station. The teen grows concerned when the beagle bounds away. Calling out, she soon hears him barking. As she approaches, she sees him sniffing a prone figure. Perhaps thinking the dog has invaded the privacy of a sunbather, she edges closer. When the blurred sight comes into focus, she realizes what she’s seeing and gags at the dog’s discovery. Screaming, she turns and flees in terror. Read more. |
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'Mommy is gone'Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly
May 10, 2018 On the afternoon of Oct. 24, 1961, Barbara Barker was at home with her 4-year-old son, who was playing with neighbor Lillian Risch, also 4. Shortly before 4 p.m., Barbara walked Lillian back to her own house and dropped her off without stopping in to see or chat with Lillian’s mother, Joan. But young Lillian soon returned, saying, “Mommy is gone and the kitchen is covered in red paint.” As Barker rushed over to the Risch house, she probably thought of the last time she had seen her neighbor, some 90 or so minutes earlier. Peering out of her window, she had spotted Risch, hunched over, moving quickly and carrying something red as she headed to her car. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary. It was the last time Joan Risch was seen. Read more. |
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