Mary Sullivan was just 19 years old when she was found dead in her Boston apartment on January 4, 1964. She would become the final victim attributed to the Boston Strangler, a series of murders that had terrorized Greater Boston for nearly two years. Now, more than six decades later, her nephew is still searching for answers.
Background
Mary Sullivan was the last of 11 women murdered in Greater Boston between 1962 and 1964. Her death came just weeks after the string of killings that had left the city on edge. Albert DeSalvo was eventually confessed to the murders and was named as the Boston Strangler, though he was never tried for Sullivan's death due to his incarceration on unrelated charges.
Casey Sherman, a New York Times bestselling author and investigative reporter, is Mary's nephew. His book "A Rose for Mary" examines his aunt's murder and the lingering questions that have haunted his family for generations. Sherman has spent years investigating the case, and his family has long questioned whether DeSalvo was truly responsible for Mary's death.
The Investigation
The conversation between Sherman and Sheryl McCollum, host of the "Zone 7" podcast and a crime scene investigator with four decades of experience, touched on several key points that the family believes complicate the official narrative. Sherman pointed to DNA analysis as one area of ongoing interest, noting that forensic technology has advanced significantly since the 1960s.
The family has also raised questions about confession tapes that were allegedly made by DeSalvo but have never been made public. Sherman indicated that these missing recordings could contain information that either confirms or challenges DeSalvo's admission to Mary's murder.
Additionally, Sherman has explored alternate suspects in the case. While DeSalvo confessed to the Boston Strangler murders, some researchers and family members have pointed to inconsistencies in his confessions and potential other individuals who may have been involved.
Key Takeaways
- Mary Sullivan, 19, was found dead in her Boston apartment on January 4, 1964
- She was long considered the final victim of the Boston Strangler
- Albert DeSalvo confessed to the murders but was never tried for Sullivan's death
- The family has questioned the official narrative for decades
- DNA analysis and missing confession tapes are among the evidence Sherman says raises questions
- Sherman is the author of "A Rose for Mary," examining his aunt's case
What's Next
The Boston Strangler case remains one of America's most infamous unsolved murder mysteries, despite DeSalvo's confessions. Sherman continues to advocate for further investigation into the evidence surrounding his aunt's death. Advances in DNA technology may eventually provide more definitive answers, though key evidence from the original investigation remains either unavailable or disputed.
The family's persistent questions reflect a broader phenomenon in cold case journalism—families seeking closure through continued investigation and public attention, even decades after the original crimes.
Sherman's work represents an ongoing effort to find truth behind one of Boston's most tragic chapters, a quest that illustrates how cold cases can linger in the hearts and minds of those closest to the victims.