Adrian
The Narragansett Police Department in Rhode Island launched an investigation into rumors of clandestine graves following viral social media posts speculating about a potential New England serial killer. The rumors gained traction after the discovery of eight bodies across Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts between March and April, sparking widespread hysteria on platforms like Facebook and TikTok. However, local and state authorities have not established any connections between the deaths, and it remains unclear how many, if any, were homicides.
Last week, the Narragansett Police were alerted to concerning posts in a private Facebook group dedicated to New England serial killers. The group, which previously had over 65,300 members before being renamed due to Facebook policies, featured an anonymous post suggesting that multiple bodies were buried in the Black Point area of Scarborough Beach. The post prompted an immediate response from law enforcement.
DETECTIVE SERGEANT BRENT KUZMAN of the Narragansett Police Department described the post as seemingly designed to provoke a reaction. “It looked like someone was trying to get a rise. The post referenced ‘Rick Rolling’ the group and even spelled out the word ‘hoax’ when reading the first letters of each paragraph,” Kuzman told Fox News Digital. Despite suspicions that the post was a hoax, Kuzman emphasized the importance of thorough investigation. “I never want to be the person that didn’t do something,” he said.
The department conducted searches on Monday and Tuesday using cadaver dogs, but no evidence of clandestine graves was found. “It was negative,” Kuzman confirmed. The Narragansett Police also collaborated with the FBI during the investigation. “Obviously, you can look at it as a waste of resources, but we were making sure it was completely not true,” Kuzman added. “It’s like responding to a fire alarm at a high school. You always gotta do it.”
The recent discoveries of human remains in New Haven, Norwalk, Groton, and Killingly, Connecticut; Foster, Rhode Island; and Framingham, Plymouth, and Springfield, Massachusetts, have fueled speculation about a potential serial killer. However, authorities have not linked these cases. The Facebook group discussing the topic has gained over 15,000 new members in recent weeks, with some members drawing connections between unrelated cases. Kuzman noted that the group’s focus may lead to confirmation bias among its members.
Google search data shows a spike in queries for “New England serial killer” around April 7, reflecting the public’s growing concern. Despite the online frenzy, law enforcement continues to approach the situation with caution and diligence.
[Sources: Fox News Digital, Narragansett Police Department Facebook Page]
