Press Releases

District Attorney Cruz announces Tipline, Email and Website Section devoted to unsolved homicides



Download PDF

Contact Beth Stone 508-584-8120

BROCKTON – Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced the launch of a tipline and email for the public to share information regarding unsolved homicides.

“We never forget a victim, no matter how much time goes by,” DA Cruz said. “Every victim deserves justice and our office is committed to solving these cases, holding the perpetrators accountable, and bringing some measure of closure to the family and friends of homicide victims.”

The Unsolved Homicide Unit investigates and monitors homicide cases that have been pending longer than one year without resolution. Every unsolved homicide is assigned to an assistant district attorney (ADA) and a victim witness advocate (VWA). The ADA and VWA work in conjunction with members of the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to our office and the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab to periodically re-examine existing evidence and conduct further investigating using modern technology and the latest in investigative techniques where applicable. Currently, the office has 107 unsolved homicides, involving 118 victims, with dates of offense ranging from 1961 to the present.

“Community input will be key to this hotlines success,” DA Cruz said. “If there are people out there that believe they have information relevant to an unsolved case, we want to hear from you. Even if you think it is a small detail or something insignificant, it could be the break that investigators need and have been waiting for to solve these homicide cases and bring the families of the victims closure and justice.”

The designated tipline is 508-894-2584 and the email is PlymouthDA.UnsolvedHomicides@State.MA.US. The tipline and email will be monitored by State Police Detectives and all information will remain confidential and a person’s contact information is not required to report.

In addition to the email and tipline, DA Cruz’s Office will periodically feature an unsolved case on their website in an effort to generate renewed interest, leads and information. 2020 marks the 36th anniversary of the tragic death of Virginia Hannon. On February 13, 1984, State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office were contacted by Pembroke Police Department regarding the unattended death of 61 year-old Virginia Hannon inside her home at 59 West Street. The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled that the manner of the death of Ms. Hannon was strangulation.

“It has been 36 years since Virginia Hannon’s tragic murder and in that time her family has not given up hope that there will be an arrest one day,” DA Cruz said. “Some cases are more difficult to solve than others, which is why we are seeking the public’s assistance in gathering any and all information that we can. It is our hope and belief that we are a phone call or an email away from gathering the necessary break to solve these cases and bring peace to the family members of crime victims.”

Pembroke Police Chief Rick Wall said, “In February of 1984 the town of Pembroke was rocked by the news that Virginia Hannon had been brutally murdered in her West Street home. Virginia Hannon, or “Ginny” for those of us who knew her, was a very caring and kind woman who lived for family and friends, and was well-known in the close-knit Little Sandy Pond neighborhood. I believe that there are people out there that know what happened to Virginia or may have some pieces of information that, added to what we already know, will aid in solving this case. Maybe you were unable to come forward with information at the time of the murder and think that now it’s too late? It is not. Despite the fact that 36 years have passed, come forward now. It’s never too late.”

###

February 12, 2020