This is a list of homicides in Massachusetts. The list features only notable homicides that have Wikipedia articles of their own.
The list is divided into three categories: 1. Multiple homicides, events in which more than one person was murdered, such as school shootings or familicides. 2. Serial killers, individuals who murdered at least three people within Massachusetts. 3. Single homicides, incidents involving only one fatality.
Multiple homicides Listed in reverse chronological order.
Incident Location Date DeathsInjuredTotal DescriptionBoston Marathon bombingBostonApril 15–19, 20136281287Islamic terrorism: Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev carried out a bombing at the 117th Boston Marathon and fatally shot a police officer three days later while on the run. Tamerlan was killed during their fugitive period, while Dzhokhar was apprehended and sentenced to death; he is currently incarcerated at ADX Florence.2011 Waltham triple murderWaltham September 11, 2011303Three men had their throats slashed in an apartment. Tamerlan Tsarnaev (co-perpetrator of the Boston Marathon bombing) and Ibragim Todashev were suspects in the case but were both killed in 2013.Edgewater Technology shootingWakefieldDecember 26, 2000707Shooting: Michael McDermott killed seven of his co-workers at Edgewater Technology. He is incarcerated at Old Colony Correctional Center as of 2025.Brookline clinic shootingsBrooklineDecember 30, 1994257Shooting: John Salvi, a Catholic anti-abortion extremist, carried out attacks at two abortion clinics. He committed suicide in prison in 1996.1992 Bard College at Simon's Rock shootingGreat BarringtonDecember 14, 1992246Shooting: Student Wayne Lo carried out a shooting at Bard College at Simon's Rock, killing one student and one professor. He is currently serving two life sentences.Boston Chinatown massacreBostonJanuary 12, 19915611Shooting: A gang-related attack in which five men were killed execution-style at a gambling den in Boston's Chinatown. Two men were convicted for the massacre, while a third suspect remains a fugitive as of 2025.Blackfriars MassacreBostonJune 28, 1978505Shooting: Mob-related massacre that occurred in the Blackfriars Pub in Downtown Boston. The attack, which is believed to have been a robbery-gone-wrong, remains officially unsolved.Borden murdersFall RiverAugust 4, 1892202Axe murders: Married couple Andrew and Abby Borden were murdered in their home. Andrew's daughter (and Abby's stepdaughter), Lizzie Borden, was infamously tried and acquitted in the case.Boston MassacreBostonMarch 5, 17705611Shooting: A confrontation during the American Revolution in which a crowd was opened fire on by British soldiers.
Serial killers Serial killers who operated solely within or had at least three victims within Massachusetts. Listed in reverse chronological order.
Perpetrator Location Date Deaths DescriptionStewart WeldonSpringfield2017–20183Weldon murdered three women and hid their bodies on his property and is also suspected to be responsible for a series of rapes. He is currently incarcerated at Old Colony Correctional Center.Main South WoodsmanWorcester2002–20043–5Unidentified serial killer who targeted sex workers.Alfred GaynorSpringfield1995–19989Drug-addicted serial murderer and rapist. Gaynor is currently an inmate at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center.New Bedford Highway KillerNew Bedford1988–198911Unidentified serial killer who targeted sex workers.Michael SumpterGreater Boston1969–19733Raped and strangled three women; identified posthumously.Tony CostaTruro1968–19694+Murdered and dismembered at least four women; committed suicide behind bars in 1974.Kenneth HarrisonBoston1967–19694Serial killer nicknamed "The Giggler" due to the perpetrator, Kenneth Harrison, calling the police after each murder and giggling. He committed suicide in prison in 1989.Boston StranglerMultiple counties1962–196413An unidentified serial murderer of women. Rapist Albert DeSalvo confessed to the killings, which remain mostly unsolved, before he was murdered in prison in 1973. In 2013, DNA evidence linked him to the final victim.Jane ToppanMultiple counties1895–190112–100+Nurse who poisoned patients. After her apprehension, Toppan was committed to Taunton State Hospital, where she died in 1938.Sarah Jane RobinsonBoston1881–18868–11Serial killer who poisoned her relatives; died behind bars in 1906.Thomas W. PiperBoston1873–18752–3Convicted for the murder of two girls and confessed to a third. Piper was executed by hanging in 1876.
Single homicides
Listed in reverse chronological order.
Incident Location Date Solved? Murder of Vanessa Marcotte, 27PrincetonAugust 7, 2016Murder of Bella Bond, 2Boston May–June 2015Murder of Odin Lloyd, 27North AttleboroughJune 17, 2013Murder of Rebecca Riley, 4HullDecember 13, 2006Murder of Christa Worthington, 45TruroJanuary 6, 2002Killing of Molly Bish, 16WarrenJune 27, 2000Murder of Deanna Cremin, 17SomervilleMarch 30, 1995Murder of Holly Piirainen, 10SturbridgeAugust 5, 1993Murder of Kristin Lardner, 21BostonMay 20, 1992Murder of Melissa Ann Tremblay, 11LawrenceSeptember 11, 1988Murder of Tiffany Moore, 12BostonAugust 19, 1988Assassination of Orhan GündüzSomervilleMay 4, 1982Murder of Andrew Puopolo, 21BostonNovember 15, 1976Murder of Ruth Marie Terry, 37Body found in Provincetown July 1974Murder of Danny Croteau, 13ChicopeeApril 14, 1972Murder of John J. McCabe, 15LowellSeptember 27, 1969Murder of Edward Deegan, 35ChelseaMarch 12, 1965Murder of George Parkman, 59BostonNovember 23, 1849Glen H. Carlson, The Unfortunate Dr. Webster. A Tale of Murder, Money, Lies, and Injustice, Far North Publishing, Anchorage, Alaska, p. 328.Murder of Elizabeth Fales, 18DedhamMay 18, 1801Murder of Christopher Seider, 11BostonFebruary 22, 1770Murder of John NewcomenPlymouth Colony1630Bradford, William. History of Plymouth Plantation
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