It took 36 years but the identity of the person who killed twenty three year old Cathy Sposito on a hiking trail in Prescott, Arizona (USA) on June 13th, 1987. The murder shook up the area for years and a hiker had heard Sposito’s cries for help but could not reach her in time to save her from harm. Bryan Scott Bennett has been named as her killer and he has been linked to other attacks on women. Bennett will never see a courtroom because he took his own life in 2004.
Month: August 2023
Major Development in Murder of Rhode Island Mob Enforcer?
Kevin Hanrahan was a feared man. He would beat people up, rob drug dealers, and kill for Organized Crime. It is no secret that Hanrahan has been a suspect in several unsolved murders in Southwestern New England. Most notably the unsolved killing of Raymond “Slick” Vecchio in 1982. Ten years later after that infamous hit, Hanrahan left a restaurant in the Federal Hill section of Providence and some unknown persons shot the tough guy in the face, as he was approaching his car. Thirty years later, there are rumblings that former high level members of the New England Mafia ordered his killing.
Former New England Mafia Captain Robert Deluca pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder in the case of Hanrahan but the actual gunmen have never been apprehended by law enforcement.
UPDATE 3-10-2021: Investigators in Massachusetts have linked Hanrahan to the 1991 murder of 53 year old Howard Ferrini whose body was found at Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9344569/Cold-case-murder-professional-gambler-53-trunk-blue-Cadillac-solved.html
Hanrahan is also the prime suspect in murder of bar owner John Gomes who was known by the the nickname “Tillie King” in 1984. He had been shot in the back of the head.
Man Goes Missing in Wildlife Area known for it’s Beauty and Murderous Past
Twenty two year old Michael Sinotte of North Kingstown went missing in the Great Swamp Management Area of South Kingstown, Rhode Island
The last time anyone saw him was June 15th,2019. The Rhode Island resident’s car a 2000 black Honda Civic with license plate DW-583 was found days later on June 18th ,2019. Sinotte had been seen on the fourteenth of June near the West Kingston Post Office, which is located at 3484 Kingstown Road.
The swamp is dangerous place to go off trail as it is reported to have quick sand, drop offs, thorn bushes, deceptive water and many mosquitos.
Sinotte is described as being around five feet, eleven inches tall as well as having a thin physique, brown eyes and sandy hair.
The Great Swamp Area also is the site of a horrible battle on December 19th 1675 between American (European) Colonists and members of the Narragansett Indian Tribe. While both sides committed atrocities against each other in a battle that was part of the King Philips War, many Narragansett women and children were brutally slaughtered in this incident has been referred to the Great Swamp Massacre. While there is no solid figure as to how many perished some historians thinks around 40 to 300 colonists and their native american allies were killed or wounded while the number of Narragansett fatalities could have been as high as 1000. The Narragansett tribe never recovered as many of their members were hunted down, killed or sold into slavery. The tribe exists today with hundreds of members while other New England tribes were less fortunate and nearly lost all their members to war and disease. For hundreds of years, visitors have reported paranormal activity at the management area and the site of the massacre has been lost to the general public. Perhaps only the Narragansetts know and rightfully wish to keep it from others.
Michael Sinotte’s family continues to look for him, they have set up a Gofundme page to help with costs of the search. https://www.gofundme.com/f/michael-sinotte-jr-missing-person-search-age-23
WPRI also did a story recently about the volunteer searches in the management area. The family and volunteers have stated that they have found a yellow bag that Sinotte brought with him at the time, a makeshift campfire, a 15-foot rope of his, and geocaches. They ask visitors to be on the lookout for any pieces of his blue sweatshirt or blue jeans. Sinotte also wore a size 13 pair of black and brown boots. For the latest update on the case view the story from WPRI below.
If you have any information, please contact the North Kingstown Police Department Detective Division at (401) 294-3316, extension 8211.
Source WPRI & PRovidence Journal
$50,000 Reward for information in the conviction of the killer(s) of a Man in his Trailer.
The Connecticut State Police recently doubled the reward money in case of the murder of a Colchester man found dead in his trailer on the Golden Hill Paugusett Indian Reservation in May of 2018. Fifty Thousand dollars is now being offered any information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the slaying of 36 year old James Stone Jr. He was found shot to death with wounds to his chest and leg. Law Enforcement stated that they have questioned and interviewed over one hundred people in the last three years and have received some tips.
It is believed that at the time of his death, he was retrieving some of his belongings when he was killed. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detectives through email at david.bennett@ct.gov or calling 860-465-5456.
All information provided in this case will be kept confidential.
Source NBC 30 Connecticut. https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/state-police-double-reward-for-information-in-2018-colchester-murder/3079582/
Savagewatch - Unsolved Crime 