Rumors of a New England Serial Killer. Rhode Island Police Search for ‘Clandestine Graves’ After 8 Mysterious Deaths and Social Media Frenzy

In a small beach town in Rhode Island, police are on high alert as rumors of a potential serial killer spread rapidly across social media platforms. The Narragansett Police Department has been actively searching for clandestine graves after unsettling posts began circulating online, suggesting that multiple bodies could be buried in the area.

The rumors originated from the grim discovery of eight bodies across Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts between March and April. This alarming trend has fueled fears of a serial killer operating in New England, with discussions heating up on platforms like Facebook and TikTok.

Despite the rising hysteria, local and state police have yet to establish any connections between the eight deaths, and it remains uncertain how many, if any, of the victims died as a result of homicide. The police are taking these rumors seriously, however, as they work to ensure public safety.

Recently, the Narragansett Police became aware of concerning posts in a Facebook group dedicated to discussions about serial killers in New England. The posts were made anonymously, with only the group administrator able to see the user’s identity. One post hinted at the possibility of multiple bodies being buried in the Black Point area of Scarborough Beach, prompting the police to take action.

The Facebook group, which was previously named “New England Serial Killer,” has amassed over 65,300 members. Last week, an anonymous member made a chilling confession that led the Narragansett police to launch an investigation. Detective Sergeant Brent Kuzman commented on the situation, stating, “It looked like someone was trying to get a rise. I mean, he referenced Rick Rolling the group, he referenced this being prose. One of his poems actually spelled out the word ‘hoax’ if you spelled out the first letter of the paragraphs.”

Despite the apparent hoax, Kuzman and his fellow officers decided to proceed with caution. They allocated resources for searches on Monday and Tuesday, employing cadaver dogs to comb the area. “It was negative,” Kuzman reported regarding the search results.

The Narragansett Police Department confirmed in their Facebook post that detectives, along with two Rhode Island State Police cadaver K9s, conducted a thorough search of the area but found no evidence of clandestine graves. They have also been in contact with the FBI to discuss the matter further.

Kuzman acknowledged the potential for wasted resources but emphasized the importance of thorough investigation. “Obviously, you can look at it as a waste of resources, but we were making sure it was completely not true. So, it’s that double-edged sword. It’s like responding to a fire alarm at a high school. You always gotta do it, and you don’t want to make it a reaction where it’s a benefit to the person doing it, but you also want to do your due diligence and make sure there is nothing to worry about,” he explained.

In the past two months, eight bodies or sets of human remains have been discovered in various locations, including New Haven, Norwalk, Groton, and Killingly in Connecticut; Foster in Rhode Island; and Framingham, Plymouth, and Springfield in Massachusetts. Some social media users have speculated that the pattern of these discoveries, particularly the presence of female remains, could indicate the work of a serial killer. However, police have not confirmed any such connections.

The Facebook group has seen a surge in membership, gaining over 15,000 new members in just a few weeks. Kuzman pointed out that within the group, there may be a tendency for confirmation bias, as members are likely to connect cases that may not be relevant to one another. “There must be some sort of confirmation bias, because you’re in the group for that reason,” he noted.

Interest in the topic has also spiked online, with searches for “New England serial killer” on Google peaking around April 7, according to search engine data. As the investigation continues, the police remain vigilant, working to separate fact from fiction in a climate of heightened anxiety and speculation.