The Boston Police Homicide Unit serves as the lead investigative group for homicides, suspicious deaths, fatal collisions, cases in which the victim may die as the result of a criminal act, as well as the investigation of the sudden death of infants and those apparently stillborn. The Boston Police Department is committed to providing Boston residents with professional and effective investigations.
The objective of every homicide investigation is to bring the responsible person(s) before the court and obtain a guilty verdict. Homicide investigators meticulously, carefully and thoroughly investigate all cases to ensure effective prosecution. Since a case is built on legal requirements, rules of procedure must be followed. Witness cooperation and truthfulness are paramount.
The Homicide Unit is comprised of eight squads that are assigned on a rotating schedule to investigate a homicide. One squad, comprised of a sergeant detective and 2-3 detectives, is assigned as the lead investigative squad for each homicide. Additional personnel are assigned to assist as needed. The Homicide Unit also contains the Unsolved/Cold Case Squad, which investigates homicides which have gone unsolved for 10 years or longer. Any person with information pertaining to a homicide is urged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470.
How You Can Help Us
Our greatest resource in solving homicide cases is information from witnesses, family, friends and the community. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, you can always reach out to us in the following anonymous ways.
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Crime Stoppers Hotline: 1-800-494-TIPS
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BPD Homicide Unit: 617-343-4470
How We Can Help You
Navigating through this unfamiliar path while suffering the loss of a loved one or as a witness to a homicide can pose significant challenges. The Victim-Witness Service component of the BPD Homicide Unit advocates for witness and loved ones of victims during the stages of grief and recovery. If you are interested in learning more about how the BPD can help you, go to the Support Service for Families & Witnesses page. If you are a family member of a victim of an unsolved homicide and would like a photograph of your loved one added to the Unsolved Homicides by Year section of this website, please send the photograph to unsolved@pd.boston.gov.
Unsolved Homicides by Year
A combination of great police work, courageous witness cooperation and community assistance all help to solve homicide cases. Although arrests have been made, the work goes on and the Boston Police Department continues to seek information regarding these and all homicide cases. If you are interested in looking for a specific case, click on the year below.