A HORRIFYING discovery has spread fears that a serial killer is on the hunt in New England.
Human remains were found spread across three states, with an eighth body being unveiled by investigators.
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The eighth unidentified victim was found unresponsive on Tuesday in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Her cause of death has yet to be revealed, The Post reported.
The Springfield Police Department did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for more information.
The death is reigniting rumors that a serial killer is targeting victims in New England.
The rumors, which police haven’t backed, were spread after seven bodies were found between March and April.
The bodies, which were mainly female, were spread across Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
A Facebook conspiracy group titled “New England Serial Killer” was made to discuss the possible killer.
Police called the alleged serial killer an “internet rumor” and noted that there’s no evidence connecting the killings.
“There is no information at this time suggesting any connection to similar remains discoveries, and there is also no known threat to the public at this time,” Connecticut State Police told Fox News.
Pennsylvania-based criminal defense attorney and former Lawrence County District Attorney Matthew Mangino told Fox News that the newly discovered bodies “warrant an investigation.”
“Whether it’s coincidental or not, I think it merits review and investigation, at least,” Mangino said.
“Collaboration between the different jurisdictions to determine whether or not there is some threat out there to individuals, that may be going on as we speak.
“We don’t know that, but I think it does merit that kind of scrutiny.”
IDENTIFIED VICTIMS
Only three of the eight bodies have been identified, as officials noted that several of the remains were degraded, making it hard to know who the victims are.
One of the identified victims was Paige Fannon, 35, from West Islip, New York.
Fannon was found on March 6 after police discovered her clothing and belongings on the banks of the river.
Timeline of bodies
- March 6: Paige Fannon, 35, from New York, was found in New Haven
- March 6: A hunter discovered human remains in a wooded part of Plymouth, Massachusetts
- March 19: The body of a woman believed to be 40-60 years old is found in a suitcase in Groton, Massachusetts
- March 20: Denise Leary, 59, is found dead in New Haven, Connecticut
- March 26: Michele Romano, 56, is found in Rhode Island months after she went missing
- April 9: Unidentified remains were found in Connecticut
- April 10: Unidentified remains were found in Massachusetts
Other victims include Denise Leary, 59, and Michele Romano, 56.
Leary is a mother of two and vanished in September.
Police later discovered her body in New Haven on March 21.
Romano, from Warwick, Rhode Island, was also declared missing months before her body was found on March 26.
None of the women’s causes of death have been revealed.
“These different jurisdictions need to get together and compare notes and reports. You can initially see if there are any similarities between these deaths,” Mangino continued.
“Were these homicides? I mean, we may find that these are natural deaths or … it could be a suicide, it could be accidental.
“So, the number one issue is: is there enough to determine the cause and manner of death?”
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RUMORS DISPELLED
Romano’s family quickly dispelled rumors of the New England murderer.
“In light of the recent comments being made, we know that Michele’s passing is in no way related to any type of serial killer,” the family wrote on Facebook.
“We have complete faith in the Rhode Island State Police and our Private Investigator that the person responsible will be brought to justice sooner rather than later!”
Magino did condemn the “internet sleuths” causing tension online.
“True crime is the hottest thing on television, on podcasts and social media,” Mangino said.
“Certainly, there are times when these amateur sleuths can be helpful to law enforcement, but what it does is it creates a lot of…tension.
“At times it can make things difficult for investigators who are trying to remain open-minded and not create some sort of tunnel vision where, all of a sudden, there’s concern in the community and panic because people believe there’s a serial killer, and they’re calling law enforcement on neighbors because they think they are acting suspicious.”