Authorities have confirmed the discovery of suspected human remains in Watch Hill, Rhode Island—an affluent coastal neighborhood also home to pop star Taylor Swift’s vacation residence. The Westerly Police Department reported that officers were called to Everett Avenue around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14, where what appeared to be a human leg bone was found.
Investigators are now working to officially identify the remains. According to police, there are currently no signs of foul play in this case.
The incident has raised concern among locals, especially in light of a series of recent discoveries of human remains throughout New England. Over the past several months, at least a dozen separate findings have been reported across Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts—including in towns like New Haven, Groton, Norwalk, Foster, Plymouth, and Springfield.
Despite growing speculation online that these cases might be the work of a serial killer, law enforcement officials have repeatedly denied any such connection. Not all the deaths are being investigated as suspicious, and authorities stress that many of the incidents are isolated.
Following the discovery of a woman’s body in Springfield last month, identified as 45-year-old Meggan Meredith, Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni warned the public against jumping to conclusions. “Unverified claims can compromise active investigations,” he said, adding that there is no evidence linking the various cases.
Still, that hasn’t stopped amateur investigators and online communities from theorizing about a possible link. Facebook groups and online forums have attracted thousands of users discussing patterns and possible connections between the deaths.
Timeline of Recent Discoveries
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March 6: A police dive team recovered the body of 35-year-old Paige Fannon from the Norwalk River. That same day, a hunter in Plymouth discovered a human skull missing its jaw and nasal area.
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March 19: Police in Groton found a woman’s body, believed to be between 40 and 60 years old, inside a suitcase near a cemetery.
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March 21: The decomposed remains of Denise Leary were located in a wooded area behind a home in New Haven.
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March 25: Michele Romano, 56, was found dead in a wooded area off Plainfield Pike in Rhode Island.
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April 9–10: Unidentified remains, believed to belong to a man aged 25–45, were discovered in Killingly, Connecticut, along with more remains in Massachusetts.
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April 21: Human remains were found in the Seekonk River in Pawtucket by a boater.
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April 22: Meggan Meredith was found unresponsive near a Springfield bike path; her death is being investigated as a homicide.
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April 23: Two male bodies were discovered in wooded areas near a Walmart in Salem, Massachusetts.
Expert Perspective
Criminologist James Alan Fox of Northeastern University has weighed in, stating that based on the available information, these deaths do not appear to be connected. According to Fox, serial killers typically display patterns in victim profiles and dump sites—patterns that are absent in these cases.
“There’s no clear link between the victims or the locations,” Fox explained. “Most serial killers target specific victim types and tend to operate in familiar areas. That kind of consistency just isn’t present here.”
Police Response
Westerly Police Chief Paul Gingerella addressed the rumors directly, telling Fox News Digital that the recent Rhode Island discovery has no connection to a serial killer. He emphasized that public speculation can hinder ongoing investigations.
District Attorney Gulluni echoed this sentiment, urging people to avoid spreading unverified theories online. “Social media can quickly turn speculation into panic,” he said. “We must remain focused on facts.”
For now, police are continuing their investigations, while urging the public to stay cautious, informed, and respectful of ongoing efforts.