Identification Made in Four-Decade-Old Murder Case in Massachusetts

Remains Found in Fairhaven Connected to Rhode Island Man

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FAIRHAVEN, Mass. — A body found in Fairhaven, Massachusetts nearly four decades ago has been identified as a murder victim from Rhode Island, according to an announcement made by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday.

A driver traveling on Interstate 195 on April 8, 1985, made a chilling discovery when they spotted a human skeleton approximately 45 feet from the roadway and immediately alerted the police. The remains were subsequently sent to the FBI lab in Washington, D.C. for further examination, where it was determined that they belonged to a white male who had been killed within a few years prior to the discovery. The forensic analysis of the skeleton revealed evidence of inflicted trauma, leading investigators to conclude that the cause of death was homicide.

Despite extensive efforts to identify the victim, including facial reconstruction and comparisons of dental records in missing persons cases, no positive matches were found. However, thanks to the collaboration between District Attorney Thomas Quinn’s Unidentified Bodies Project, Othram, a private laboratory based in Texas, and the FBI’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Team, the remains were successfully identified.

Using DNA evidence recovered from the skeletal remains, a genetic profile was generated and compared to thousands of other DNA profiles. By tracing the man’s family tree, investigators were able to positively identify the recovered remains as belonging to Keith Olson, a 27-year-old resident of Cranston, Rhode Island.

Olson was last seen on April 15, 1981, and his disappearance had been reported by his family. During that time, Olson was in a romantic relationship with a woman, which caused tension between him and John Broccoli, a resident of North Providence who had previously been involved with the same woman. Witnesses to Olson’s disappearance reported seeing two men escorting him from his Cranston apartment. On the same day, Broccoli made cryptic statements to the woman, indicating his possible involvement.

Unfortunately, Broccoli, also known as Michael Corleone, passed away in 2019 at the age of 63, making it impossible to question him about Olson’s murder. As investigators continue to piece together the events surrounding Keith Olson’s death, they are calling on the public for assistance. Police suspect that at least two individuals were involved in the crime and believe there may be individuals with valuable information that could help solve the case.

Anyone who has information related to Olson’s murder is urged to contact Massachusetts State Police Detective Lieutenant AnnMarie Robertson at 855-627-6583.

Highlighting the importance of improved coordination, not only between counties but also between states, officials from the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office are appealing to individuals who have missing relatives to step forward. They are encouraged to contact Detective Lieutenant Robertson and provide a DNA sample to be included in the National Missing and Unidentified Person System (NamUs). These DNA samples can be compared with thousands of unidentified bodies nationwide, potentially shedding light on other unsolved cases.