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Swampscott Exhumes Henry Bedard Jr.’s Remains in 1974 Murder Probe

A new court order citing recent DNA-driven leads prompted an autopsy in Boston.

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Henry Bedard, and the baseball bat that was found at the scene.
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Overview

  • Investigators completed a court-ordered exhumation on Oct. 1 at Swampscott Cemetery, with the Essex County district attorney’s office, Massachusetts State Police, the medical examiner and local police on site.
  • District Attorney Paul Tucker confirmed a body was removed and transported to Boston for a post-mortem examination as part of an active cold-case investigation.
  • The DA’s office said the order authorized exhuming Henry Bedard Jr.’s body nearly 51 years after his killing, following information recently received.
  • Bedard, 15, was last seen on Dec. 16, 1974 after shopping in Vinnin Square and was found the next day under leaves near Suffolk Avenue, where a baseball bat with unique markings was recovered; the original autopsy documented five blows to the head.
  • Officials cite advances in forensic science, particularly DNA, as opening new investigative avenues, and urge tips to the Unresolved Case Unit at 1-855-MA-SOLVE or [email protected].