Boston Strangler Case Autopsy Stirs Debate

B O S T O N, Oct. 16 -- When Albert DeSalvo confessed to killing the last alleged victim of the Boston Strangler, he said he struck her over the head to knock her out, and then strangled her.

But when forensic experts conducted an autopsy on MarySullivan’s body Saturday, they found no signs of trauma to herhead, and her hyoid bone — a fragile neck bone typically snappedduring strangulation — unbroken.

The families of Sullivan and DeSalvo hope these findings willhelp exonerate DeSalvo — 36 years after the murder was committed,and 27 years after his death.

The two families had Sullivan’s body exhumed Saturday in searchof DNA evidence they hope will disprove his confession. She wasreburied on Sunday in Barnstable, on Cape Cod.

Attorney Elaine Whitfield Sharp, who represents both families,said the exhumation was necessary because state authorities refusedto release evidence taken from the murder scene.

“They’re telling us it’s still an open investigation, andimprudent to give out evidence,” Whitfield Sharp said. “But theyhaven’t done anything about this in 36 years.”

Eleven women — including Sullivan — were strangled in Bostonbetween June 1962 and January 1964.

DeSalvo confessed, but was never charged for the murders. He waskilled in prison in 1973, while serving a sentence on an unrelatedrape conviction.

Profit Motive?After a private investigation by Sullivan’s nephew, the twofamilies now say they believe DeSalvo confessed to the BostonStrangler murders because he believed he could get rich by sellingthe book and movie rights.

Stephen Bilafer, a spokesman for Massachusetts Attorney GeneralTom Reilly, said Sunday the state has not released the evidencebecause the murder is still considered an unsolved homicide.

“We’re sensitive to the concerns of these families, and we’veindicated an openness to meet with them and discuss thingsfurther,” he said. “But we have to treat this the same way wetreat other unsolved homicides.”