Some tragedies happen without warning. Others leave behind difficult questions about whether they could have been prevented.

In Part Two of our Murders in Groton series, we examine a case that shook this quiet New England community once again—one that raises important conversations about mental illness, domestic violence, warning signs, and the challenges families face when they desperately seek help.

Beyond the headlines, we remember the life of a woman whose kindness touched those around her and explore the lasting impact her loss had on her family and the Groton community.

Join host Jonathan Power for another thoughtful and investigative look at a case that reminds us that not every tragedy begins with a single moment—it can unfold quietly, behind closed doors.

Murders in Groton: When Tragedy Comes to a Quiet Town

Part One: The Quadruple Homicide on Common Street

Groton, Massachusetts, is known for its rolling farmland, historic homes, elite schools, and quiet New England charm. For generations, it has been a place where families built their lives believing they had found peace.

On September 8, 2017, that peace was shattered.

Inside a home on Common Street, four people were brutally killed in one of the deadliest family homicides in recent Massachusetts history. The victims—Elizabeth Lackey, Frank Lackey, Elizabeth Krause, and home health aide Bertha Mae Parker—were attacked in a place where they should have been safest.

In this episode of Murders in Massachusetts, we go beyond the headlines to examine the events leading up to that tragic day, the frantic phone calls made in the final moments before the killings, the investigation that followed, and the questions that continue to surround the case.

You'll also hear the story of Groton itself—a town whose nearly 400-year history was forever altered by an act of unimaginable violence.

This is not a story about sensationalizing tragedy.

It's about remembering the victims, understanding the circumstances, and exploring how one afternoon changed a community forever.

Part One explores the quadruple homicide on Common Street.

Coming next: Part Two: Behind Closed Doors, examining another tragedy that would once again shake the town of Groton just two years later.

🎙️ Murders in Massachusetts Every Town Has a Story.

The Disappearance of Melanie Melanson

On October 27, 1989, fourteen-year-old Melanie Melanson vanished after attending a party in a wooded area near an industrial park in Woburn, Massachusetts. She never made it home.

What began as a missing person case soon became one of Massachusetts' most haunting unsolved mysteries. Over the decades, investigators have followed countless leads, searched remote locations, conducted multiple excavations, and interviewed witnesses who were present during Melanie's final hours. Yet more than three decades later, critical questions remain unanswered.

In this episode of Murders in Massachusetts, host Jonathan Power examines the timeline of Melanie's disappearance, the party where she was last seen, the individuals believed to be among the last people to see her alive, and the many twists that have defined this case over the years.

Featuring historical reporting, investigative records, and firsthand perspectives, this episode explores the unanswered questions, the impact on Melanie's family, and the ongoing search for justice.

Someone knows what happened to Melanie Melanson.

After more than 35 years, her family is still waiting for answers.

If you have information regarding Melanie Melanson's disappearance, please contact law enforcement. To learn more about the case, visit MelanieMelanson.com.

Some stories are still being written.

Contributors:

Billie-Sue Hutchins