William Hurley, 24, Boston, MA 10/8/09 [BODY FOUND]

[leema24]

Man goes missing after Bruins hockey game
The Boston Police Department is asking the public’s help in locating a man who disappeared under mysterious circumstances following a Boston Bruins’ hockey game.

William Hurley, 24, has not been seen or heard from since Thursday night. His fiancé, Claire Mahoney, told CNN that Hurley vanished about a minute after telling her his cell phone battery was running out of power.
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/10/11/man-goes-missing-after-bruins-hockey-game/
http://wbztv.com/local/william.hurley.missing.2.1241153.html

[dreamtime]

http://wbztv.com/local/william.hurley.missing.2.1240407.html

He left the Bruins game after the first period. Called his girlfriend.
Said he was in a parking lot at 99 Nashua St. She was there within minutes, he was not.

http://wbztv.com/local/william.hurley.missing.2.1241153.html
William went to the game after work with a couple of friends.
He had 3 or 4 beers, decided to go home.
TD Garden searched.
They are now searching the nearby Charles River.



ot: too many young men, drinking, then a near by river......

[Kip]

"He had three or four beers, his friends said, and he was just confused."

Hurley left the Bruins game early, saying he was tired and wanted to go home.

It sounds like Hurley was feeling ill. Not sure how I feel about his friends letting him go off alone...but I suppose they thought it was okay since his girlfriend was coming to pick him up. The "confused" part worries me though.

[Heidi J.]

"He had three or four beers, his friends said, and he was just confused."

Hurley left the Bruins game early, saying he was tired and wanted to go home.

It sounds like Hurley was feeling ill. Not sure how I feel about his friends letting him go off alone...but I suppose they thought it was okay since his girlfriend was coming to pick him up. The "confused" part worries me though.

I think because we read things here, we are very overprotective in nature, compared to a few 24 year old kids. I think you are right, about them not worrying because of the fiance picking him up.

I hope he is found safe.

[Kip]

http://wbztv.com/local/william.hurley.missing.2.1240407.html

....[snipped] ot: too many young men, drinking, then a near by river......

That's the first thing I thought of when I first saw the headline, but these circumstances are different than most. Most of the other young men disappeared after leaving bars. I don't know if it would be harder or easier to do the same thing in a sports arena. More potential victims, but also more people leaving in groups and lingering outside.

Regarding the confusion - I wonder if his beer could have been drugged and whoever did it was hoping he'd leave alone. Seems a bit far-fetched though...

[Kip]

I think because we read things here, we are very overprotective in nature, compared to a few 24 year old kids. I think you are right, about them not worrying because of the fiance picking him up.

I hope he is found safe.

You're right, Heidi. That was the mom in me, not a young kid's thinking. His friends may have even asked Hurley if he was okay to go alone and he probably said yes.

[leema24]

Now these articles are saying he only had 1 beer (per friend).
http://wbztv.com/local/missing.man.bruins.2.1242216.html
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/12/girlfriend_of_missing_quincy_man_tries_to_stay_pos itive/

[BevAnn]

Wouldn't an arena having lots of security cameras in its parking lot? I figure most of them do in this day and age.

Maybe they are reviewing footage for a clue?

Very odd case. I hope he is found alive and soon!

[leema24]

Wouldn't an arena having lots of security cameras in its parking lot? I figure most of them do in this day and age.

Maybe they are reviewing footage for a clue?

Very odd case. I hope he is found alive and soon!

Yes, you would think there would be some kind of video surveillance in an area like that.

I was just thinking about the timeline. Reports say he left the game during the 1st intermission. Thursday's game started at 7pm...I'm guessing the 1st period was over around 7:45 or so. Reports say his girlfriend had to drive from Univ of MA and was on the phone with him when his phone died about 8:45.

There was a passerby that gave him the address. I wonder if this person is aware of William's case and if he/she noticed anything unusual?

I would think there would be a decent amount of activity in this area (although the game was in progress), but surely there had to be parking lot attendants or someone who may have seen William.

[leema24]

Not sure if there are any locals that can shed some light on this area but it looks like the Suffolk County Jail is somewhat close to William's last known location on Nashua St?

I wonder why he didn't just wait for his girlfriend in front of the arena. So many questions! I really hope he is found safe.

[Shelby1]

http://wbztv.com/local/william.hurley.missing.2.1240407.html

He left the Bruins game after the first period. Called his girlfriend.
Said he was in a parking lot at 99 Nashua St. She was there within minutes, he was not.

http://wbztv.com/local/william.hurley.missing.2.1241153.html
William went to the game after work with a couple of friends.
He had 3 or 4 beers, decided to go home.
TD Garden searched.
They are now searching the nearby Charles River.



ot: too many young men, drinking, then a near by river......

Yes, too many men around this age......similar to Chris Jenkins.

[Shelby1]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/12/girlfriend_of_missing_quincy_man_tries_to_stay_pos itive/


I'm wondering if there will be a parade today in that area. If so, I hope everyone keeps their eyes open and that this young man is brought home safe and sound.

[Shelby1]

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/10/11/man-goes-missing-after-bruins-hockey-game/

In the comments, his cousin says everyone calls him Billy.

[leema24]

This article mentions the nearby jail:
Man Disappears After Bruins Game
Boston police are reviewing security camera videotapes from Spaulding Rehab, the Nashua Street jail and parking areas near the TD Garden for evidence. Detectives are also looking for credit or ATM activity or cell phone calls from Hurley, but so far they have no leads.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/21270826/detail.html

Hopefully they can gather some clues from the video.

[leema24]

Police Boats Search For Missing Man Near Garden
BOSTON (WBZ) ― The mother of a missing Quincy man has travelled from North Carolina to help search for her son.

24-year-old William Hurley mysteriously disappeared after leaving the Bruins game at TD Garden Thursday night.

Boston police sent two boats to search the water near the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Monday.

http://wbztv.com/local/missing.man.bruins.2.1242216.html

[heyheyhey]

Not sure if there are any locals that can shed some light on this area but it looks like the Suffolk County Jail is somewhat close to William's last known location on Nashua St?

I wonder why he didn't just wait for his girlfriend in front of the arena. So many questions! I really hope he is found safe.

:unsure: It's an unusual place for him to have ended up if he waiting, unless he had parked a car there, to be picked up; a large parking lot surrounded by service roads, elevated roadway, the Garden, Charles River Basin. It was also dark and fairly isolated from the hustle and bustle going on all around. He would have had to walk around to the back of the Garden/North Station. It would have made more sense for him to have waited on busy, well lit Causeway Street.

[heyheyhey]

:unsure: It's an unusual place for him to have ended up if he waiting, unless he had parked a car there, to be picked up; a large parking lot surrounded by service roads, elevated roadway, the Garden, Charles River Basin. It was also dark and fairly isolated from the hustle and bustle going on all around. He would have had to walk around to the back of the Garden/North Station. It would have made more sense for him to have waited on busy, well lit Causeway Street.

I don't even know what 99 Nashua Street is. Nashua Street is really just a service road that leads to the jail and Hospital. I don't think there's any such thing as 99 Nashua Street. If he's the victim of a random, spur of the moment crime, that was the perfect spot for it to have occurred.

[leema24]

:unsure: It's an unusual place for him to have ended up if he waiting, unless he had parked a car there, to be picked up; a large parking lot surrounded by service roads, elevated roadway, the Garden, Charles River Basin. It was also dark and fairly isolated from the hustle and bustle going on all around. He would have had to walk around to the back of the Garden/North Station. It would have made more sense for him to have waited on busy, well lit Causeway Street.

Thanks for the info about the area. It seemed to look that way by looking at the map which is why I wondered why he headed that way to wait for his girlfriend. Even if his friend's car was in the lot, not sure why he would go there since his friend was still at the game.


Not much new to report. They continued to search the river and police did speak with the passer by who shouted out the address.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20091013cops_comb_charles_for_missing_quincy_man/srvc=home&position=recent

[Shelby1]

Are there any large, empty warehouse type buildings around there???

[dreamtime]

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=99+nashua+st,+boston,+ma&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&rlz=1I7GPEA_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=99+Nashua+St,+Somerville,+MA+02145&gl=us&ei=rJjUStuPKon0sgPj9rnSCg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CA0Q8gEwAA

Is this the right address?
In Somerville, MA?

[dreamtime]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/12/girlfriend_of_missing_quincy_man_tries_to_stay_pos itive/

Charles River searched.

[leema24]

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=99+nashua+st,+boston,+ma&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&rlz=1I7GPEA_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=99+Nashua+St,+Somerville,+MA+02145&gl=us&ei=rJjUStuPKon0sgPj9rnSCg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CA0Q8gEwAA

Is this the right address?
In Somerville, MA?

dreamtime, that's what confused me at first but no it's not the Nashua St in Somerville. It's the Nashua St near the TDBank Garden arena in Boston. heyheyhey questioned the address too and mentioned it's really just a service road. There's not much to it...Spaulding Rehab and the Nashua Street jail are located there.

It does seem odd the person who told William the address would say 99 Nashua if there's nowhere along that street that is clearly marked that way. Of course that is what the girlfriend said she heard over the phone. But it was reported police spoke with this person so I imagine they confirmed that it's the address he/she gave William.

ETA: if you just search Nashua St in Boston, MA the map will bring you to the area in question

[angellaw]

Any news yet? This has me baffled:confused:

[omsk99]

I might have missed this before, but it seems that the other two guys escorted him outside to Nashua Street:

"William Hurley has not been seen or heard from since leaving the Bruins [team stats] game Thursday night. Cops said two friends reported exiting the Garden with Hurley and leaving him on Nashua Street to wait for his girlfriend."

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1203974

And still no explanation, why there... although that should be known at this point, since the two guys went there with him.

[dreamtime]

dreamtime, that's what confused me at first but no it's not the Nashua St in Somerville. It's the Nashua St near the TDBank Garden arena in Boston. heyheyhey questioned the address too and mentioned it's really just a service road. There's not much to it...Spaulding Rehab and the Nashua Street jail are located there.

It does seem odd the person who told William the address would say 99 Nashua if there's nowhere along that street that is clearly marked that way. Of course that is what the girlfriend said she heard over the phone. But it was reported police spoke with this person so I imagine they confirmed that it's the address he/she gave William.

ETA: if you just search Nashua St in Boston, MA the map will bring you to the area in question
======================

Thank you for the feedback.
So, wouldn't the Nashua Street jail have outside security cameras? And maybe Spaulding Rehab? If so, I imagine the police have reviewed them.

I am not a fan of the Smiley Face or River Murders, but
gee,
young man, has couple of drinks, leaves, calls friend, girlfriend, she is very close by, she arrives, the young man is not there.
How many times have we heard this before and it never ends well.

How close by is the river?

Does anyone know if his cell phone was found? Any forensic evidence?

[VC2]

I think the biggest clue might have been the "confused" comment.

If he was confused then he could have had an illness, something physical/neurological or psychological (cause i dont think 1 or 4 beers is going to make a grown man confused) that got worse and he started stumbling around.

Either easy pickings for a killer or robber who coshed him and he died unexpectedly, or ended up in the river or elsewhere on his own accord due to the confusion.

imo
certainly i think the seriousness that LE is taking this with shows something more than just a guy disappearing to hide from his g/f or family

[leema24]

I might have missed this before, but it seems that the other two guys escorted him outside to Nashua Street:

"William Hurley has not been seen or heard from since leaving the Bruins [team stats] game Thursday night. Cops said two friends reported exiting the Garden with Hurley and leaving him on Nashua Street to wait for his girlfriend."

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1203974

And still no explanation, why there... although that should be known at this point, since the two guys went there with him.

Thanks, I'd miss that detail before. If William was very tired and not feeling well, you would think they'd take him to a less isolated place to wait for his girlfriend. I'm not blaming them and there may have been a reason they took him there (maybe it was near their car?).

Police have been reviewing video from Spaulding Rehab, the Nashua Street jail and parking areas near the TD Garden for evidence. I haven't heard any updates on that or if police found any of his belongings in the area.

[Lynden1000]

I'm looking at the Google Map of Nashua st, and, not being too familiar with Boston, I can't really decipher what I'm looking at. Is 99 Nashua Street the large parking lot I see between TD Garden and the Spaulding Rehab hospital?

If he was standing around that parking lot waiting on his girlfriend, I really can't think of a good explanation for his disappearance other than foul play, unless the river is easier to get into than it looks. It looks like you would have to navigate some railroad tracks or go past the hospital in order to hit the river, but then again I am not sure I am looking in the right place.

[heyheyhey]

There's no google 'street-view' for Nashua St. If you google 99 Nashua St, the wrong Nashua St will pop up.

The parking lot you see behind TD Garden on google maps (just google 'Nashua St,Boston') is where he allegedly was waiting.

This link shows a picture of the riverside park while it was still under construction a 5 years ago.

http://www.brorson.com/InfrastructureWalk_3-14-2004/DSCN2388.jpg

I'll include this site only because it has a lot of pictures of the general area and it gives you an excellent feel for the place. Bear in mind most of the construction shown in these pics is finished.

http://www.brorson.com/InfrastructureWalk_3-14-2004/

The river current in this area is swift. It's right by major locks/dam that seperate the river from the harbor/ocean.

[heyheyhey]

http://www.mccourtconstruction.com/users/images/nashua_aerial.jpg

This is part of the finished park. Hurley was one block away from here.

Below is a nice, clear map of the area

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/06/13/Charles_River_parks_and_projects/

[heyheyhey]

Below is a picture of Causeway Street, the front of The Garden. It's about one block from The Garden, and it's looking towards a very large federal government building that you can see on the right.

This is an old pic; that elevated train has been pulled down and it's now underground so it looks a lot 'brighter' and less claustrophobic. This street is lined with bars, resteurants, couple hotels, stores, et al. It's always busy, even early am. I go to a all night Dunkin Donuts at 3-4am all the time one block from this pic. This is where Will should have waited for his girl.

http://architecture.mit.edu/class/city/projects03/bullfinch_triangle/images/IMG015.jpg

[dreamtime]

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/21286522/detail.html
Mother pleads for help in finding son.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/slideshow/news/21273939/detail.html
boats searching for missing man.

[heyheyhey]

His body was found around 2AM by 2 cops walking in the park, floating 25 off shore

http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO126896/

[Shelby1]

:crying::crying:
Prayers for his family and fiance :rose:

[leema24]

His body was found around 2AM by 2 cops walking in the park, floating 25 off shore

http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO126896/

So sad. :crying:

Police identify body as missing Quincy man
The body of a Quincy man who mysteriously vanished outside a Bruins [team stats] game last week was found overnight in the water across the street from the Nashua Street jail, authorities said.

Boston police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll and Suffolk County prosecutors confirmed the body pulled from the Charles River at about 2:30 a.m. was William Hurley, 24. An autopsy is scheduled for today to determine the “cause and manner” of his death, Driscoll said.

“The facts and circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear,” Driscoll said. She added there were no immediate signs of trauma or foul play, however, investigators are awaiting autopsy results “to determine the specifics.”
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1204570&srvc=home&position=comment

[BevAnn]

I'm tellin' ya'll....smiley face or whatever you want to call it - I feel 100% there is someone beind these young drinking men, leaving a public place at night, and being found dead in a river.

RIP Billy and prayers for your family. :sad:

[angellaw]

I'm so sad to hear this news.

:crying:


Prayers for his family, fiance` and friends :rose:

[Kip]

I'm tellin' ya'll....smiley face or whatever you want to call it - I feel 100% there is someone beind these young drinking men, leaving a public place at night, and being found dead in a river.

RIP Billy and prayers for your family. :sad:

I think there's someone behind many of these young men's deaths, too, especially many of the midwest cases. And it's eerie how alike many of them look. Billy Hurley looks like many of the previous fatalities.

Rest in peace, Billy.

[dreamtime]

William Hurley.
RIP>

[AJandTam]

I'm tellin' ya'll....smiley face or whatever you want to call it - I feel 100% there is someone beind these young drinking men, leaving a public place at night, and being found dead in a river.

RIP Billy and prayers for your family. :sad:

Very weird huh? A serial killer or a group of some kind. These deaths occurr all over the place??

Do you know if that young man in Terre Haute, Indiana a few mos ago has made the list?? I can't remember his name now to check.

[iluvmua]

Very weird huh? A serial killer or a group of some kind. These deaths occurr all over the place??

Do you know if that young man in Terre Haute, Indiana a few mos ago has made the list?? I can't remember his name now to check.

are you talking about Scott Javins?

here is a really good site about these killings:

http://footprintsattheriversedge.blogspot.com

[iluvmua]

OMG! GREAT news, new details about the "Smiley Faced" killers is expected, Detective Kevin Gannon and his investigative team expects to know by January the organization of the group behind the murders, what has been going on, and why they are doing this.

Hope this leads to a ton of arrests.

info at Footprints at the River's Edge blogspot.

[Shelby1]

Very weird huh? A serial killer or a group of some kind. These deaths occurr all over the place??

Do you know if that young man in Terre Haute, Indiana a few mos ago has made the list?? I can't remember his name now to check.

I've been reading up on all of these deaths. Very very similar all over the country. There is definitely something weird going on.

[Shelby1]

OMG! GREAT news, new details about the "Smiley Faced" killers is expected, Detective Kevin Gannon and his investigative team expects to know by January the organization of the group behind the murders, what has been going on, and why they are doing this.

Hope this leads to a ton of arrests.

info at Footprints at the River's Edge blogspot.

This is great news!

[leema24]

Questions begin after Quincy’s man’s body found in river
Conley told reporters there was no visible evidence Hurley had fallen victim to a violent crime, but stressed that an autopsy by the chief medical examiner’s office will be key to any conclusions on how Hurley died.

There were no obvious signs of trauma to Hurley’s body, Conley said. Nashua Street Park is across the street from the Nashua Street Jail.

Conley downplayed robbery as a possible motive, saying that Hurley’s keys, cash, and wallet were still on him when his body was found in the Charles River. “It does not look like a robbery or anything like that,’’ he said.

The forensic inquiry was incomplete yesterday, and authorities do not expect a toxicology report for several weeks, according to Conley’s office.

Delgado said Hurley seemed coherent last Thursday as he exchanged numerous text messages and talked with Mahoney as she tried to pin down his location.

“He didn’t know where he was, but he could describe where he was,’’ Delgado said. “Had he too much to drink? Not at all. That’s why it’s baffling.’’

Conley said Hurley’s body was found near a state park where no fencing is installed.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/15/hunt_for_answers_begins_after_quincy_man_found_in_ river/


So no signs of trauma, he still had all of his belongings on him...hmm I hope the toxicology report will shed more light on what could have happened.

So sad for his girlfriend and family.

[BevAnn]

I'd bet my lunch, that COD is going to be drowning.

But HOW did he get in the water?? WHY?? Why leave a spot you just told your gf to pick you up from?? He had no reason to be wandering around.

I've been loopy for many reasons, too much to drink, various drugs after surgeries - but I can promise you, I have NEVER been so out of it, that I would "wander" to a riverbank, late at night, in very cold temps. I just can not imagine.

These guys are being led down for some reason, and pushed in. That's the only thing I can come up with - no obvious marks (like hit on the head and dragged to river), no drugs (tox reports), no strangulation, no blood. Yet they all wind up in the river drowned. And in some cases - in a short time frame, such as this one. WTH is going on???

I really feel, if someone (maybe this group, footprints at the rivers edge) would dedicate themselves to these cases - they will find it's all connected, and they could break open the biggest case of serial killings ever!! I think this is a massive deal, that no one has figured out yet.

[omsk99]

Questions begin after Quincy’s man’s body found in river
Conley told reporters there was no visible evidence Hurley had fallen victim to a violent crime, but stressed that an autopsy by the chief medical examiner’s office will be key to any conclusions on how Hurley died.

There were no obvious signs of trauma to Hurley’s body, Conley said. Nashua Street Park is across the street from the Nashua Street Jail.

Conley downplayed robbery as a possible motive, saying that Hurley’s keys, cash, and wallet were still on him when his body was found in the Charles River. “It does not look like a robbery or anything like that,’’ he said.

The forensic inquiry was incomplete yesterday, and authorities do not expect a toxicology report for several weeks, according to Conley’s office.

Delgado said Hurley seemed coherent last Thursday as he exchanged numerous text messages and talked with Mahoney as she tried to pin down his location.

“He didn’t know where he was, but he could describe where he was,’’ Delgado said. “Had he too much to drink? Not at all. That’s why it’s baffling.’’

Conley said Hurley’s body was found near a state park where no fencing is installed.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/15/hunt_for_answers_begins_after_quincy_man_found_in_ river/


So no signs of trauma, he still had all of his belongings on him...hmm I hope the toxicology report will shed more light on what could have happened.

So sad for his girlfriend and family.

Regarding the belongings - per reports, they were found on him, except for his cell phone, which was found during an earlier search of the area (before the body was found), smashed on the ground. That's kind of odd, isn't it? Assuming, he wasn't feeling well and dropped it, why would it be smashed? It's almost as if he was trying to use it, and someone took it away from him and smashed it on the ground. The word "smashed" is a red flag to me.

I personally have a hard time believing no foul play was involved. He was talking to his GF on the phone, and 2 minutes later, when she showed up where he was, he was gone. If he was intoxicated, or had a seizure of some sort - something natural - I think he would have fallen down right where he was. He also wouldn't have had time to fall down, get up and walk over to the river - and why would he do that anyway, since Claire was coming to pick him up where he was on Nashua Street. It just doesn't make sense, and I am still somewhat skeptical about the "smiley faced killers", although there are too many unexplained deaths and disappearances of very young men so it could very well be. JMO

[omsk99]

“There is no indication of foul play at this time,” said Boston police spokesman Joe Zanoli to CNN. “However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it hasn’t happen. We just don’t know. At this point of the investigation, it appears he just vanished. Whether that is on his own accord or not has yet to be determined.”

http://www.wibw.com/nationalnews/headlines/64330082.html

[annalyzer]

Regarding the belongings - per reports, they were found on him, except for his cell phone, which was found during an earlier search of the area (before the body was found), smashed on the ground. That's kind of odd, isn't it? Assuming, he wasn't feeling well and dropped it, why would it be smashed? It's almost as if he was trying to use it, and someone took it away from him and smashed it on the ground. The word "smashed" is a red flag to me.

I personally have a hard time believing no foul play was involved. He was talking to his GF on the phone, and 2 minutes later, when she showed up where he was, he was gone. If he was intoxicated, or had a seizure of some sort - something natural - I think he would have fallen down right where he was. He also wouldn't have had time to fall down, get up and walk over to the river - and why would he do that anyway, since Claire was coming to pick him up where he was on Nashua Street. It just doesn't make sense, and I am still somewhat skeptical about the "smiley faced killers", although there are too many unexplained deaths and disappearances of very young men so it could very well be. JMO

Hi. I've been following this case and hadn't seen a report of the cellphone being smashed on the ground. Where did you read that? tia

[leema24]

Regarding the belongings - per reports, they were found on him, except for his cell phone, which was found during an earlier search of the area (before the body was found), smashed on the ground. That's kind of odd, isn't it? Assuming, he wasn't feeling well and dropped it, why would it be smashed? It's almost as if he was trying to use it, and someone took it away from him and smashed it on the ground. The word "smashed" is a red flag to me.

I personally have a hard time believing no foul play was involved. He was talking to his GF on the phone, and 2 minutes later, when she showed up where he was, he was gone. If he was intoxicated, or had a seizure of some sort - something natural - I think he would have fallen down right where he was. He also wouldn't have had time to fall down, get up and walk over to the river - and why would he do that anyway, since Claire was coming to pick him up where he was on Nashua Street. It just doesn't make sense, and I am still somewhat skeptical about the "smiley faced killers", although there are too many unexplained deaths and disappearances of very young men so it could very well be. JMO

I agree that there appears to be something fishy here. Plus, if he was intoxicated or feeling sick, I would think his girlfriend would have picked up on that when she talking to him on the phone only minutes before he disappeared.

[AJandTam]

are you talking about Scott Javins?

here is a really good site about these killings:

http://footprintsattheriversedge.blogspot.com

No, There was another one only a few mos ago. Thanks. It was around graduation time because he was found and his mother had to go receive his college diploma either on the day they found him or the day before they found him. IIRC.. Thank you

[AJandTam]

I've been reading up on all of these deaths. Very very similar all over the country. There is definitely something weird going on.

Yes. I've read up on it here and there. I have no theories, but it's weird alright. This latest one is really weird. He goes outside to wait on his gf and ends up in the river?? That couldn't have happened by accident, could it??

[AJandTam]

OMG! GREAT news, new details about the "Smiley Faced" killers is expected, Detective Kevin Gannon and his investigative team expects to know by January the organization of the group behind the murders, what has been going on, and why they are doing this.

Hope this leads to a ton of arrests.

info at Footprints at the River's Edge blogspot.

That is great news. I hope they figure it out. I have no idea.. it's all a real mystery.

I did notice that Brian Shaffer is on the list. I followed his case the closest. Not sure if his GF still post here or not. But I always felt so bad for her. Last I heard, he still had not been found?? Did they find him and I didn't hear about it?

[AJandTam]

“There is no indication of foul play at this time,” said Boston police spokesman Joe Zanoli to CNN. “However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it hasn’t happen. We just don’t know. At this point of the investigation, it appears he just vanished. Whether that is on his own accord or not has yet to be determined.”

http://www.wibw.com/nationalnews/headlines/64330082.html

W/these killings, they never find any evidence of foul play, do they? Seems it's always just ruled an accidental drowning. I don't understand how that can be. Especially if different people are doing this. Seems one of them would have made a big mistake already. I don't get it.

[CrazyMoma]

Any autopsy results yet???

[annalyzer]

Hi. I've been following this case and hadn't seen a report of the cellphone being smashed on the ground. Where did you read that? tia
bump ~ anyone know?

[CrazyMoma]

bump ~ anyone know?

:shrug:

........

[leema24]

I didn't come across any updates regarding autopsy results.

This article mentions that his cell phone was found smashed:
"In an earlier search of the area, his cell phone was found smashed on the ground."
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO126896/

This link says that the spot where his body was found is dangerously close to the edge of the water. There are no fences or anything.
http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/news/city_desk_wired/index.php/2009/10/14/down-by-the-river/

[VC2]

Regarding the belongings - per reports, they were found on him, except for his cell phone, which was found during an earlier search of the area (before the body was found), smashed on the ground. That's kind of odd, isn't it? Assuming, he wasn't feeling well and dropped it, why would it be smashed? It's almost as if he was trying to use it, and someone took it away from him and smashed it on the ground. The word "smashed" is a red flag to me.

I personally have a hard time believing no foul play was involved. He was talking to his GF on the phone, and 2 minutes later, when she showed up where he was, he was gone. If he was intoxicated, or had a seizure of some sort - something natural - I think he would have fallen down right where he was. He also wouldn't have had time to fall down, get up and walk over to the river - and why would he do that anyway, since Claire was coming to pick him up where he was on Nashua Street. It just doesn't make sense, and I am still somewhat skeptical about the "smiley faced killers", although there are too many unexplained deaths and disappearances of very young men so it could very well be. JMO

I rather believe in the smiley faced killer group. Two reasons in particular, the smiley faces are just two weird and similar near to many of these deaths. I don't believe everyone on hte list was part of it, there will be some copy cats and some that were easy to take advantage of but overall it just doesn/t make sense they are all random and have pictures of smiley faces found nearby.

The other reason is the number of serial killers who went unnoticed until they were "discovered". Picton pig farmer case, hundreds of women imo not just the ones he was charged with. Others in history.

Not so sure its an organized murder group, it could be a traveling person or a twosome who split up at times as well. I guess i just dont think it has to be as strange as a group but it could also be a family.

jmo

[omsk99]

Hi. I've been following this case and hadn't seen a report of the cellphone being smashed on the ground. Where did you read that? tia

Lima24 posted the link to the article which mentions that the cellphone was found smashed on the ground (TY, lima!) - sorry I couldnt' reply earlier. That was the onyl time I saw it mentioend, which makes me wonder if that was indeed true - you'd think other media reports would pick up on that as well... It's a very odd detail to me.

[AJandTam]

I rather believe in the smiley faced killer group. Two reasons in particular, the smiley faces are just two weird and similar near to many of these deaths. I don't believe everyone on hte list was part of it, there will be some copy cats and some that were easy to take advantage of but overall it just doesn/t make sense they are all random and have pictures of smiley faces found nearby.

The other reason is the number of serial killers who went unnoticed until they were "discovered". Picton pig farmer case, hundreds of women imo not just the ones he was charged with. Others in history.

Not so sure its an organized murder group, it could be a traveling person or a twosome who split up at times as well. I guess i just dont think it has to be as strange as a group but it could also be a family.

jmo

Thats an idea about it maybe being a pair. As I don't see how a group could do it and still be this clean w/no real evidence.

[n/t]

Prosecutors: No indication of foul play in death of Quincy man

BOSTON — .The mysterious disappearance of 24-year-old William Hurley turned into the investigation of a mysterious death after Hurley’s body was found in the Charles River and a preliminary autopsy found no apparent signs of violence.


http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/x536349773/Prosecutors-No-indication-of-foul-play-in-death-of-Quincy-man


This case is so eerily similar to Dan Zamlen's case in Minnesota.
http://footprintsattheriversedge.blogspot.com/2009/04/040509-dan-zamlen-18-st-paul-mn-missing.html

[AJandTam]

Prosecutors: No indication of foul play in death of Quincy man

BOSTON — .The mysterious disappearance of 24-year-old William Hurley turned into the investigation of a mysterious death after Hurley’s body was found in the Charles River and a preliminary autopsy found no apparent signs of violence.


http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/x536349773/Prosecutors-No-indication-of-foul-play-in-death-of-Quincy-man


This case is so eerily similar to Dan Zamlen's case in Minnesota.
http://footprintsattheriversedge.blogspot.com/2009/04/040509-dan-zamlen-18-st-paul-mn-missing.html

In these cases, that is the thing w/them. Never any signs of foul play. Right?? How are they pulling this of?? Are they using an untracable drug ?? I know that in these cases they have been drinking but not enough that they couldn't fight back at all if attacked??

[n/t]

In these cases, that is the thing w/them. Never any signs of foul play. Right?? How are they pulling this of?? Are they using an untracable drug ?? I know that in these cases they have been drinking but not enough that they couldn't fight back at all if attacked??

I don't know Tam. Is it all a coincidence or is there a serial killer (s)? What caught my attention with William's case was the cellphone call and someone was going to go pick him up. Same thing in Dan's case. They both vanished shortly thereafter and then found dead in a river.

What would be the motive if it is murder? It's not robbery. Not sexual. A thrill kill?? Is it gang initiation type of murders? Like a cult thing? Are they spreading in all States?

Very frightening.:sad:

[lune3]

I rather believe in the smiley faced killer group. Two reasons in particular, the smiley faces are just two weird and similar near to many of these deaths. I don't believe everyone on hte list was part of it, there will be some copy cats and some that were easy to take advantage of but overall it just doesn/t make sense they are all random and have pictures of smiley faces found nearby.

The other reason is the number of serial killers who went unnoticed until they were "discovered". Picton pig farmer case, hundreds of women imo not just the ones he was charged with. Others in history.

Not so sure its an organized murder group, it could be a traveling person or a twosome who split up at times as well. I guess i just dont think it has to be as strange as a group but it could also be a family.

jmo

I haven't posted here yet but have followed along. Maybe I missed it but was there actually a picture of a smiley face nearby???? Or I guess you are talking about the other cases?

I find William's death so mysterious. It doesn't make sense. The no "apparent" violence autopsy report, and the "smashed" cell phone in particular are too puzzling. This was not a mugging gone bad if his belongings were found on him. Could he have had some kind of episode? He wasn't feeling well evidently. But his girlfriend didn't sense anything on the phone, 2 minutes or so before.

[captkaos]

Hello all, I'm new to this board. I have the same morbid interest in these things and I've been trying to find more info on William Hurley, web searches keep bringing me here and I've been getting a lot of updates from you guys.

This case has shed to light the SFK case for me. I remember the first case very well as it was in this area. I remember thinking back then that case seemed fishy but I never heard anything else about it until now. The one thing that sticks out to me is there's a detective looking into this that says the gang likes to strike near I90, which is in close proximity to the Bruins' arena. Also, I can't help wondering if hockey is at all related to these. The detective outlined a pattern of times of year and that coincides with hockey season, also, there was a Minnesota Wild home game the night Chris Jenkins disappeared. I know it's a stretch but doing further research it is interesting. Do a search of "Chris Jenkins" and you'll find some eerie stuff.

[n/t]

sfkillers.com

[Nascargal]

Very weird huh? A serial killer or a group of some kind. These deaths occurr all over the place??

Do you know if that young man in Terre Haute, Indiana a few mos ago has made the list?? I can't remember his name now to check.

I remember the young man from Indiana not to far from me.

this is so sad and seems to be happening alot
Prayers for his family :rose:

[n/t]

Hello all, I'm new to this board. I have the same morbid interest in these things and I've been trying to find more info on William Hurley, web searches keep bringing me here and I've been getting a lot of updates from you guys.

This case has shed to light the SFK case for me. I remember the first case very well as it was in this area. I remember thinking back then that case seemed fishy but I never heard anything else about it until now. The one thing that sticks out to me is there's a detective looking into this that says the gang likes to strike near I90, which is in close proximity to the Bruins' arena. Also, I can't help wondering if hockey is at all related to these. The detective outlined a pattern of times of year and that coincides with hockey season, also, there was a Minnesota Wild home game the night Chris Jenkins disappeared. I know it's a stretch but doing further research it is interesting. Do a search of "Chris Jenkins" and you'll find some eerie stuff.

Hi captkaos and welcome

This site captures many of the missing young men. The ones who were murdered were found in water. River, pond. It's all too eerie similar. I'd say their deaths are all very suspicious.

Brandon Swanson is another one still missing. Also cellphone activity right before he vanished. :sad:

http://footprintsattheriversedge.blogspot.com/2008/05/051308-brandon-swanson-19-marshall-mn.html

[Nascargal]

Very weird huh? A serial killer or a group of some kind. These deaths occurr all over the place??

Do you know if that young man in Terre Haute, Indiana a few mos ago has made the list?? I can't remember his name now to check.

I think the one your talking about was ask to leave a bar IIRC and a few days later he was found down the river of this year so it would not be this same one

http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_story_288233151.html

[Nascargal]

OMG this is so scary I had not really ever heard of this until now

Smiley faces and other matching gang graffiti symbols have been found painted on sidewalks and trees near the sites of drownings in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa (see photos below

http://www.bittenandbound.com/2009/03/23/smiley-face-killer-mystery-photos/

[captkaos]

http://www.brian-blackwell.com/2008/05/smiley-face-case-pi-organizing-team-of.html

[Nascargal]

TERRE HAUTE — Gerald Smith, an Indiana State University student who accidentally drowned in the Wabash River earlier this month, had a blood-alcohol content of 0.149, according to a toxicology report.
http://www.tribstar.com/news/local_story_148234334.html?keyword=topstory


Comments about the SFK
Wondering in Indiana, on May 7th, 2009 at 2:13 pm Said:
Someone maybe should look at ISU in Terre Haute Indiana, 1 student is missing and was around water at his disappearence and in 2002 a kid went missing and was found in the Wabash river??? Just makes ya wonder…………..

Amanda, on May 9th, 2009 at 3:47 pm Said:
I was thinking the same thing as Wondering in Indiana…the missing student from ISU, Gerald Smith, was found 90 miles south of Terre Haute in the Wabash River-presumably accidentally drowned. My thoughts went straight to the smiley face killer…if the appropriate people see this, it could be another case to look into.

Gay in Terre Haute, on May 12th, 2009 at 8:43 pm Said:
just a thought, the ISU student that went missing in 2002 was found in Fairbanks park just off the banks of the Wabash. and the most recent student to be found also vanished form the same area. Fort Wayne, IN, on May 29th, 2009 at 10:08 pm


My professor said something about his brother being murdered by the smiley face killer and that the police should look into the “drowning” of Gerald Smith at ISU…

[n/t]

http://www.brian-blackwell.com/2008/05/smiley-face-case-pi-organizing-team-of.html

Interesting that one of the comments mentions Jenkins alleged killer but is he behind bars? Whatever happened to him? Was he connected to that case. Is he roaming free? I don't know but I get a feeling there's more than one killer. All connected to perhaps one guy (the leader) and he has his followers.

I hate to hijack William's thread and post other cases but there may be a connection. I remember there was a thread here at IS about the Smiley Face Murders. I'll see if I can find it. Maybe we should post some of this information over there. Just a suggestion.

[n/t]

Here's the link on this board for the Smiley Face Killers

http://boards.insessiontrials.com/showthread.php?t=330037&highlight=smiley+face+murders

[captkaos]

Thanks, n/t...

I was checking that board out too. This is just nuts. I remember the Patrick McNeill case when it happened. I heard of these drownings randomly here and there throughout the years and always remembered the McNeill case whenever something like this happened. But I never heard of any connection before the unfortunate and tragic events of Mr Hurley. His case is just plain weird. I saw some speculation that they left the game early because it was a blowout (Boston lost 6-1). But the first period ended with the Bruins up 1-0. I've seen reports that they all left together as well as that the two friends walked him out and stayed. But they all took the train there so no one had a car. The guy is a Navy veteran. How would he fall in and drown? If he hit his head the prelim autopsy would have caught that. Maybe an aneurism? The report of the phone being found smashed is unsubstantiated. The girlfriend repeatedly stated she was tracking his phone and credit cards right up till they found him...why track the phone if it was already recovered? And why on earth would he wait where he went? Was it the easiest place to access by car? I'm guessing since the game was still young she'd have had to pay to get in the lot so he had to leave the property altogether to meet his ride. I don't know Boston very well but even here in NY I would feel somewhat safe near a sports arena at 8:30 PM. Also...if she got there 2 minutes later as she states, and he was gone (but not in the water yet), isn't it a reach to think the perpetrators would have been able to do anything in that area later on? Unfortunately the cops didn't take the report seriously until the next day. I wonder how long she was in the area that night. And here in NYC surveillance cameras are EVERYWHERE. You can't sneak a pick of your nose without being on camera. If it were a jail & rehab center here, the entire area would have been on tape.

Don't count on hearing any more from the M.E. for a few weeks. But my gut tells me that IF there is any foul play in this one, no matter who is responsible, whether a national gang of killers or a random psycho, there will be some sort of evidence. Stay tuned....

[annalyzer]

I didn't come across any updates regarding autopsy results.

This article mentions that his cell phone was found smashed:
"In an earlier search of the area, his cell phone was found smashed on the ground."
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO126896/

This link says that the spot where his body was found is dangerously close to the edge of the water. There are no fences or anything.
http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/news/city_desk_wired/index.php/2009/10/14/down-by-the-river/


Thanks Leema and Omsk99. Well I guess since it was a parking lot where it was found that a car could've run over it and smashed it.

[AJandTam]

TERRE HAUTE — Gerald Smith, an Indiana State University student who accidentally drowned in the Wabash River earlier this month, had a blood-alcohol content of 0.149, according to a toxicology report.
http://www.tribstar.com/news/local_story_148234334.html?keyword=topstory


Comments about the SFK
Wondering in Indiana, on May 7th, 2009 at 2:13 pm Said:
Someone maybe should look at ISU in Terre Haute Indiana, 1 student is missing and was around water at his disappearence and in 2002 a kid went missing and was found in the Wabash river??? Just makes ya wonder…………..

Amanda, on May 9th, 2009 at 3:47 pm Said:
I was thinking the same thing as Wondering in Indiana…the missing student from ISU, Gerald Smith, was found 90 miles south of Terre Haute in the Wabash River-presumably accidentally drowned. My thoughts went straight to the smiley face killer…if the appropriate people see this, it could be another case to look into.

Gay in Terre Haute, on May 12th, 2009 at 8:43 pm Said:
just a thought, the ISU student that went missing in 2002 was found in Fairbanks park just off the banks of the Wabash. and the most recent student to be found also vanished form the same area. Fort Wayne, IN, on May 29th, 2009 at 10:08 pm


My professor said something about his brother being murdered by the smiley face killer and that the police should look into the “drowning” of Gerald Smith at ISU…

Thank you. Thank you. I've been trying to remember that guys name so I could go back and update his case. I wanted to look and see if his case was considered one of the "Smiley Face" killings because it was so simular.. This is definately the one.

[omsk99]

The autopsy should have been conducted last week, but I coudlnt' find any udpates on the resulsts. The preliminary autopsy foudn no signs of trauma or foul play, and teh body was frozen when found. Lots of speculations abotu the Smiley Face Killers on other sites, too.

[AJandTam]

I don't know Tam. Is it all a coincidence or is there a serial killer (s)? What caught my attention with William's case was the cellphone call and someone was going to go pick him up. Same thing in Dan's case. They both vanished shortly thereafter and then found dead in a river.

What would be the motive if it is murder? It's not robbery. Not sexual. A thrill kill?? Is it gang initiation type of murders? Like a cult thing? Are they spreading in all States?

Very frightening.:sad:

Hi n/t. It is frightening. And it's weird because there are so many cases that are simular but no one can conclude beyond a shadow of a doubt what is happening. Coincidental accidents, serial killer, gang initiation. No one knows.. These events have occurred all over the place. 119 of them, I think..

[captkaos]

The autopsy should have been conducted last week, but I coudlnt' find any udpates on the resulsts. The preliminary autopsy foudn no signs of trauma or foul play, and teh body was frozen when found. Lots of speculations abotu the Smiley Face Killers on other sites, too.

The prelim autopsy found nothing noteworthy. Now they'll focus on toxicology to see if alcohol or another substance played a role. The next results will probably take a couple or a few weeks.

I've been reading a lot about this and I personally think the 2 retired detectives have a lot of credibility and have some sort of angle they're using, so if some of their info seems vague it is probably intentional. That is my opinion. I also think the sfk page by the laid off reporter (Piehl?) offers little more than speculative journalism. It doesn't seem like Gannon and Duarte have much to do with that site, and she takes credit for "breaking the case" in 2008. It's pretty interesting but hard to know what sources to believe..

[Lynden1000]

Thanks Leema and Omsk99. Well I guess since it was a parking lot where it was found that a car could've run over it and smashed it.

That was my guess, that the cell phone was smashed by a car. But the mere presence of the cell phone in the parking lot seems weird. If William, in his intoxicated state, decided to wander around by the river, why would he leave his cell phone on the ground in the parking lot?

[annalyzer]

That was my guess, that the cell phone was smashed by a car. But the mere presence of the cell phone in the parking lot seems weird. If William, in his intoxicated state, decided to wander around by the river, why would he leave his cell phone on the ground in the parking lot?

and as far as we know he didn't have enough alchohol to even be intoxicated.

[omsk99]

and as far as we know he didn't have enough alchohol to even be intoxicated.

Exactly. They did say he was tired from working earlier, but not that tired (to the point of falling into the frozen river), IMO.

[AJandTam]

That was my guess, that the cell phone was smashed by a car. But the mere presence of the cell phone in the parking lot seems weird. If William, in his intoxicated state, decided to wander around by the river, why would he leave his cell phone on the ground in the parking lot?

Do you know how far from where he was waiting for the GF to the river?