Episode 232: The Fernald State School

The many installments of True Crime New England’s mini-episode case profiles are winding down to a close… but that doesn’t mean the girls aren’t giving you important stories to hear. On this episode, Liz starts off by talking about the July 2025 murder of 17-year-old Carizma Fox in Waterbury, Connecticut. Then, Katie discusses the brutal murder of Ashley Armstrong, who was killed in May of 2012 in New Haven, Connecticut. Ashley’s case remains unsolved. If you or anyone you know has any information on the murder of Ashley Armstrong, please call The New Haven Police Department Tips Hotline at 1-866-888-8477 or the Cold Case Unit Tipline at 860-548-0606.

What do you mean it’s already time for one last season of True Crime New England’s Spooky Spectacular VIP Party Extravaganza ™! In true True Crime New England fashion, Katie and Liz dive into the long history of the oldest institution in the Western Hemisphere: The Walter E. Fernald State School. The girls discuss the origins of the institution, the horrible neglect of the residents, potential abuse by attendants and even experiments on the children without their permission. 

We’re starting to get close to the end of our case profile mini-episode series, but that doesn’t mean the cases we cover won’t be any less important! First, Katie starts the episode by telling the horrific details of the murder of 20-year-old Kevin Bonilla, who was killed on July 10th, 2021 in New Haven, Connecticut. Then, Liz talks about the murder of Day’shon Smith, a well-known local boxer who was shot and killed on August 15th, 2020, also in New Haven, Connecticut. Both cases remain unsolved. If you or anyone you know has any information on the murder of Kevin Bonilla OR Day’shon Smith, please call the New Haven Police Department at  203-946-6304.

On this week’s episode of True Crime New England, Katie and Liz take another trip in the time machine to the year of 1874, in St. Albans, Vermont to discuss the murder of 20-year-old Marietta Ball. A schoolteacher living in the neighborhood known as The Hill, Marietta left her work on a Friday in July in 1874 and was subsequently found murdered after an apparent ambush. What would follow was an obsessive manhunt throughout the town that caused a lot of accusations and theories, but ultimately the brutal murder of a teenage girl in a nearby New Hampshire town would lead to some further connections and suspects in her murder. 

How has there already been 100 installments of True Crime New England’s case profile mini-episode series?! Katie and Liz stick with the theme and share two very heartbreaking and tragic murders. First, Liz starts off our big 100th episode with the murder of 21-year-old Richard Whitaker Jr., who died in June of 2021 in New Haven, Connecticut. Then, Katie talks about the unsolved murder of 19-year-old mom, Jackie Liriano, who was murdered in July of 1985 in Southington, Connecticut.If you or anyone you know has any information on the murder of Jackie Liriano, please contact the Eastern District Major Crime Squad at 860-896-3230.

Take a trip in the time machine this week for this episode of True Crime New England! For this case, Katie and Liz head all the way back to 1916 to discuss the murderous story of three cream puffs. Hattie Oakley, a widowed mother of one, found herself falling for the guy she was shacking up with, Henry Cassavant. When she finds out she’s not the only girl in his life after he promised to marry her, she takes matters into her own hands and uses a sweet treat to exact her revenge. Only, she ended up with a different result than she would have liked. 

It’s already the 99th installment of True Crime New England’s case profile mini-episode series… can you believe it? This week, Katie starts off the episode by talking about the unsolved murder of 21-year-old Christine Tortoro from August of 1988 in Hartford, Connecticut, who was found in a body of water in a park. Then, Liz talks about the brutal murder of 16-year-old Sidney Krow Jr., who was shot in Worcester, Massachusetts on May 26th, 2016. His case also remains unsolved. Anyone with any information on the murder of Christine Tortoro is asked to please call the Connect Unsolved Crimes Task Force at1-866-623-8058 or send an email to [email protected]. If you or anyone you know has any information on the murder of Sidney Krow Jr., please contact the Worcester Police Department at 508) 799-8466.

On this week’s episode of True Crime New England, Katie and Liz discuss the heart-wrenching case of 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy. In February of 2018, Marissa was found dead in her Stockton Springs, Maine home after it was discovered that she had been horribly abused for months. Following her death, DHHS reports became available and it was clear that many attempts had been made by teachers, healthcare providers and neighbors for the little girl to get help, but she was failed every time. Tune in to hear the crushing details of the last few months of Marissa’s life and the devastating result of abuse at the hands of her parents.

It’s the 98th installment in True Crime New England’s case profile mini-episode series, and this week, the girls each share double the stories! First, Liz starts the episode off by discussing the recently solved double homicide of Alfreda Youmans and Jeffrey Dotson in New Haven, Connecticut in 2021. Then, Katie tells the story of the disappearance of 23-year-old MarkLenny Candelario out of New Haven, Vermont in 2011. Katie then tells an additional horrible story; the unsolved murder of Edward Johnson, found shot to death in a porta-potty in Windham, Massachusetts in 2022.If you or anyone you know has any information on the disappearance of MarkLenny Candelario, please call the Vermont State Police at 802-244-8781. If you or anyone you know has any information on the murder of Edward Johnson, please contact the Windham Police Department at 603-434-5577.

Join Katie and Liz on this week’s episode of True Crime New England as they touch upon a delicate subject of the coercion into suicide of 18-year-old Conrad Roy. In July of 2014, the depressed teenager killed himself by way of carbon monoxide poisoning while sitting in his truck. Even after it was deemed a suicide, investigators came upon some very damning and suggestive texts from his 17-year-old girlfriend, Michelle Carter. Tune in to hear the details of the nature of their relationship, their mental health struggles, and the ultimate trial to place some blame on the teenage girl.