E242: MYSTERY - The New Bedford Highway Killer

This week Beth and Wendy discuss the case of the New Bedford Highway Killer, a serial killer active between 1988 and 1989. Eleven women disappeared from the streets of New Bedford, Massachusetts, with nine bodies found along local highways. The victims were marginalized and the case received less attention than other crimes of the time. Key suspects included local attorney Kenneth Ponte and construction worker Anthony DeGrazia, though no one was ever convicted. The case remains unsolved, with speculation about multiple suspects, including theories connecting it to other serial killers or snuff films. The investigation was hindered by the lack of resources and public indifference to the victims' lives. The story also touches on themes of race, classism, and victim-blaming, emphasizing the marginalized status of the women. This episode was researched & scripted by Wendy & Beth Williams and edited by Minnie Williams. Thanks for listening! This is a weekly podcast and new episodes drop every Thursday, so until next time... look alive guys, it's crazy out there! Shout Outs Empire City: the untold origin story of the NYPD (podcast) Trial by Media (docuseries) Where to find us: Our Facebook page is Fruitloopspod and our discussion group is Fruitloopspod Discussion on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/groups/fruitloopspod/ We are also on Twitter and Instagram @fruitloopspod Please send any questions or comments to fruitloopspod@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail at 602-935-6294. We just might read your email or play your voicemail on the show! Want to Support the show? You can support the show by rating and reviewing Fruitloops on iTunes, or anywhere else that you get your podcasts from. We would love it if you gave us 5 stars! You can make a donation on the Cash App https://cash.me/$fruitloopspod Or become a monthly Patron through Patreon patreon.com/user?u=11415202 Footnotes: https://fruitloopspod.com/2024/09/26/e242-mystery-the-new-bedford-highway-killer/ How Not to Get Murdered Blackandmissinginc pomc.org Ncmissingpersons namus.nij.ojp.gov missingkids.org lauthmissingpersons.com mmiwusa.org rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca worc.org mpsupportcenter.org Music “Abyss” by Alasen: ●https://soundcloud.com/alasen●https://twitter.com/icemantrap ●https://instagram.com/icemanbass/●https://soundcloud.com/therealfrozenguy● Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License “Precinct Lullaby” by Marlene Miller. Used with permission. Find her Facebook and Instagram under SEMNCHY or marlenemiller138@gmail.com “Keep the Tab” "classical latin hop" by greyguy http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/greyguy/29227 Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License “Baba Yaga” & “Furious Freak” by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/full_list.php Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Connect with us on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQHgsKYPbzsI4AEiMrUgabA Twitter @FruitLoopsPod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fruitloopspod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Fruitloopspod and https://www.facebook.com/groups/fruitloopspod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices