Cold Case Murder Linked to Hamilton Strangler

A 1986 murder has been solved — and the culprit was someone already in prison for trying to do the same thing again.

Verity Partington

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Claire Gravel, murdered in 1986 (Image: Essex County DA)

Authorities in Massachusetts have announced they have made an arrest in a murder case that had lain cold since 1986.

Claire Gravel was just 20 and a sophomore at Salem State College when she went out with members of her softball team on June 29th 1986. She attended Major Magleashes’ pub in Salem and got a ride home with a friend, who dropped her off between 1:30 and 1:45 AM.

On the afternoon of June 30th, a group of workmen discovered her lifeless body in woods by the northbound lanes of Route 128 in Beverly. Claire had been strangled to death.

Now, Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett has announced a man named John Carey, 63, has been indicted for murder in connection with the killing.

“For 36 years, Claire Gravel’s family and friends have had nothing but questions about her death. Today, we are able to give them some of the answers,” said DA Blodgett.

Carey was already in prison for an attempted murder in 2007 — and the incredible details of the crime suggest he was trying to ensure the victim suffered the same fate as Claire Gravel.

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Verity Partington
Verity Partington

Written by Verity Partington

A writer and author of crime thrillers living in the UK. Partial to books, stationery, papercrafts and walking. You can find her books on Amazon here: https://a

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