Found Deceased MA - Henry Bedard, 15, found murdered, Swampscott, 16 Dec 1974

[WSFalcon]

The hill is approx 200 ft across from Suffolk to the Business out the front... The bat was supposedly found 50 ft from body.<modsnip: Contacting case players is not allowed>

I am from the area but for the longest time did not know exactly where the murder took place.

It would be useful to see other photos of the bat. It could be dated by the type of label it has. If it was in fact "pinned" or glued and taped to repair it, then it would no longer have been used for baseball games, but rather owned by a kid who picked it up after a game or practice in which it was broken. Today, wooden bats are only used in professional baseball - not in schools or little league.

Markings stamped on the end of the handle by the maker usually are only a single numeral. A "1" or "2" would indicate the weight of the bat, such as 31 ounces or 32 ounces respectively. Other markings scratched, carved, written, or stamped over the numeral would indicate that the bat was used by a specific ball player. Bat boys for the teams would know what the markings stood for.

One would think the bat with those markings would be a very good piece of evidence and would help to narrow the suspects, but as far as I know, it has been a dead end as far as identifying the bat, who owned it, did anyone recognize it, who had used it, etc. Wood bats were often very cheap back then, not like bats today, so it may have been and old bat that was lying around somewhere.
It would appear that given that it was the 70s with local LE investigating and it had rained heavily before they found the bat, no other useful evidence, such as fingerprints, DNA (not known back then) was ever taken from the bat.

 

[PerhapsIt'sYou]

I would like to visit the scene on December 16th at the approximate time of the murder to see exactly how it looked when the murder happened

Those woods aren't very deep. In December with the foliage gone it seems like it would be very exposed

 

[Tommy2step]

While it seems unlikely, it's still plausible that the killer was an local adult. Someone from the area is not going to look out of place. They will fade into the scenery. Everybody is going to look for the "creepy hobo" type first. It was the 1970's. Until this is solved, no theory can be ruled out. Advances in technology solved the GS Killer case and the recent Carla Walker. Test the bat again. Re-interview suspects again. I still feel the killer was a wolf in sheep's clothing...teacher, coach, worker, cop...how often does it turn out that the last person who saw the deceased either knows something or was the killer themselves?? Too often it seems.

 

[Tommy2step]

Sorry about my spelling. I meant to say "was a local adult". Damn auto correct!! Another thing. Although there have been no suspects/POI named, the police must have a list of names. Put out the word that there is a breakthrough or new evidence/witnesses no and see what shakes loose. See which person who was interviewed in 1974 or 1975 who suddenly acts differently/ out of character...see what shakes loose. After 46 years of no movement, you can't say that doing something in this way would "jeopardize the case"

 

[Betty P]

There were two partial fingerprints on the bat that were sent for DNA analysis in 2004

Boston.com / News / Boston Globe / Living / Arts / Regarding Henry

 

[Laughing]

@Smiling Faces ,

Past time to begin the Verified Insider process:

Verified Professional and Insider Members

to remain within Terms of Service.

JMHO YMMV LRR

 

[PerhapsIt'sYou]

I strongly believe Henry went to SV to meet someone.

I doubt an adult would have met him there. It was a teen hangout. An adult would have murdered him somewhere else, I think.

 

[PerhapsIt'sYou]

The engraving on the bat looks (to me) like something s kid would do.

 

[Alleykins]

OT: My great aunt was the librarian at Swampscott HS, retiring sometime in the early 70s.

 

[Laughing]

@Smiling Faces ,

Past time to begin the Verified Insider process:

Verified Professional and Insider Members

to remain within Terms of Service.

JMHO YMMV LRR

How is the Verified Insider process going?

JMHO YMMV LRR

 

[EndlessEnigma]

Some LE believe whoever killed Henry belonged to his circle of friends/acquaintances. Does anyone come to mind from that group? Maybe his death was the result of a grudge: a debt owed, a girl, a rival, etc. Were there other boys interested in Henry’s girlfriend? Did someone owe him money? < modsnip>

 

[WSFalcon]

Some LE believe whoever killed Henry belonged to his circle of friends/acquaintances. Does anyone come to mind from that group? Maybe his death was the result of a grudge: a debt owed, a girl, a rival, etc. Were there other boys interested in Henry’s girlfriend? Did someone owe him money? < modsnip>

That's been talked about for years and unfortunately nothing has come up, at least as far as I know. If it was someone from the group, it would seem as if they have been able to keep it quiet or go unnoticed from the rest of their group. Some locals like to mention that they think someone knows something and it will be coming out but as the years pass I think that is less likely.
I don't see it as a girlfriend or money motive, which is why I go back to a random attack or local bad perp that no-one knew about, but then cannot figure out how they both got up to the woods/SV. As an aside, I'm also not sure how much of a hangout the SV really was.
There are some that think that the culprit/suspect, if it was a youth, may have been protected by a parent with local influence.
I grew up in Swampscott and remember and think about this case but I have not heard of any viable suspects, or good theories. RIP Henry.

 

[EndlessEnigma]

Police say he was up there for a reason, as it wasn’t his usual way home. They learned he liked to play cards with his friends up there in warmer months. The anger and rage that was taken out on him points to someone he knew. The fact that the weapon was left behind points to a youthful or first time offender. Just my opinion but based on research.

 

[seichem745]

I can't really understand why after 45 years this person would be so frightened. I mean who were these kids linked to? He wants it solved but won't tell me anything useable. Understandable yet extremely frustrating.

there was never any evidence so even if your friend reported the names there is still no case.

 

[EndlessEnigma]

there was never any evidence so even if your friend reported the names there is still no case.

There is evidence.

 

[WSFalcon]

There is evidence.

Since you say that there is evidence, I understand that the person you spoke to has not reported it to LE though have you reported it or would you consider reporting it to LE?

 

[seichem745]

There is evidence.

eye witness?

 

[seichem745]

I strongly believe Henry went to SV to meet someone.

I doubt an adult would have met him there. It was a teen hangout. An adult would have murdered him somewhere else, I think.

youtube has some interesting videos regarding this case.

 

[seichem745]

Police say he was up there for a reason, as it wasn’t his usual way home. They learned he liked to play cards with his friends up there in warmer months. The anger and rage that was taken out on him points to someone he knew. The fact that the weapon was left behind points to a youthful or first time offender. Just my opinion but based on research.

its possible it wasnt anger at all. its possible this murder happened because the bullying just got out of control. does anyone know for certain if the blows were to the front or the back. they did rob him so he could have identified them as armed robbers.

 

[WSFalcon]

its possible it wasnt anger at all. its possible this murder happened because the bullying just got out of control. does anyone know for certain if the blows were to the front or the back. they did rob him so he could have identified them as armed robbers.

I had always heard that Henry was hit from behind with no defensive wounds. That had been the talk around town and I had heard that from LE as well. I am not saying that is 100% correct but is what I had heard.
So the assumption by many was that he knew his attackers as he did not have defensive wounds. That makes some sense though I am n0t 100% convinced that it has to be the case. He may have been running away when he was hit or someone surprised him from behind, etc.