A disturbing discovery near Taylor Swift’s seaside mansion in Rhode Island has sparked unease among locals and fueled broader speculation about a possible serial killer operating across New England.
Since the beginning of 2025, multiple bodies have been found in three northeastern states, prompting concerns about a potential pattern. The latest case unfolded on May 14, just steps from Swift’s residence in the exclusive Watch Hill neighborhood of Westerly.
According to local police, suspected human remains — believed to be a leg bone — were discovered on Everett Avenue, not far from the pop star’s home known as the Holiday House. Officers responded to a call that morning and secured the area before transporting the remains to the Rhode Island Medical Examiner’s Office for further analysis.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the remains, and at this time, do not suspect foul play. Still, the unusual nature of the discovery has left residents unsettled.
Westerly local Taylor Day witnessed the scene as she drove past the area. In an interview, she shared her reaction:
“I saw three police cars — one undercover — and what looked like two town officers. A medical examiner pulled in right behind me. It alarmed me. It’s just not something you expect to see in Westerly.”
Despite the official stance, Day questioned the idea that no foul play was involved.
“I would definitely disagree with that,” she said. “Finding a leg is very suspicious.”
She also emphasized how unexpected the location was.
“It was probably just a few football fields from Taylor Swift’s house and the Ocean House. You would never expect something like this in Watch Hill.”
The discovery, so close to a global celebrity’s home, quickly gained attention. Swift purchased the iconic Watch Hill estate in 2013 for a reported $17.75 million. The 11,000-square-foot mansion, perched on the area’s highest point, features seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and sweeping views across the Atlantic to Montauk Point.
Once owned by Standard Oil heiress Rebekah Harkness — and famously referenced in Swift’s song “The Last Great American Dynasty” — the estate has served as a private retreat for the star, particularly during her Fourth of July gatherings.
Though Watch Hill is known for its wealth and seclusion, it typically draws little attention, which may be part of what attracted Swift to the area. The serene setting offers privacy far from the paparazzi-laden hotspots of Hollywood or New York.
As the investigation continues, residents are left with more questions than answers — and growing concerns about what might be unfolding in their quiet corner of New England.
Taylor Swift and friends at her Rhode Island home, dated July 2023 | Source: Instagram/taylorswift
That stretch of land, with its deep history and sweeping views, now finds itself near the center of a mystery that has stirred concern among locals. Day mentioned that ongoing rumors and related cases in the area have made people more alert, “My mind immediately went to all the theories that are being thrown around.”
Taylor Swift pictured at her Rhode Island home, dated July 2023 | Source: Instagram/taylorswift
Her caution mirrors a broader sense of worry, yet authorities have been quick to address the growing buzz. Westerly Police Chief Paul Gingerella stated in an interview that there is no evidence linking the human remains found near Swift’s home to any serial killer rumors spreading online:
“As far as I’m concerned, as far as right now, this has nothing to do with any serial killer [or] any New England murderer.”
Gingerella identified social media as the main source of the public’s fears, describing it as “the power of social media.” He also believed that, despite the rumors, such platforms provide “more benefits than negatives.”
While authorities work to calm fears, the steady stream of discoveries has only added to public concern. Since March 2025, 13 bodies have been found across three states — five in Massachusetts, five in Connecticut, and three in Rhode Island.
As investigators continue to examine each case, details about the victims have only deepened the sense of unease across the region. Of those identified, seven were over the age of 45, while two were between 25 and 44.
In April 2025, questions about a serial killer began to spread after human remains turned up in Danielson, Connecticut. One woman, who chose not to give her name in an interview at the time, said:
“It would seem that there’s a pattern and that’s scary.”
Still, authorities have urged the public not to jump to conclusions. State police released a statement saying, “…there is no information at this time suggesting any connection to similar discoveries in RI & the CT shoreline area, and there is also no known threat to the public at this time.”
Groton Police Chief Louis Fusaro addressed the speculation surrounding his own investigation, which involved a suspicious man seen at Bluff Point State Park on April 3, 2025, along with the disappearance of Steven Gush.
While some have tried to link the events, Fusaro explained, “What I can say is we don’t believe there’s any connection between them,” although he acknowledged that the rumors have caused concern locally.
Despite police efforts to ease fears, the chatter has not died down. In fact, it’s only grown louder online. A private Facebook group with over 70,000 members has been reportedly filled with theories and guesses about the deaths. One anonymous post even led Rhode Island police to search for bodies — though nothing was found.
Some experts have addressed the wave of concern. James Alan Fox, a criminologist from Northeastern University, questioned the claims. He noted that the details available so far do not match patterns often linked to serial killers.
With over forty years of experience studying mass killings, Fox emphasized that the current findings do not support that kind of conclusion.
He pointed out that there seems to be no clear link among the victims. The expert explained that most serial killers usually target people who share similar traits — such as gender, age, race, or appearance. He added:
“That’s not always true, of course, but they tend to have a particular preference for the victim type.”
Fox also mentioned that in these cases, the victims are too different from one another, and based on the information available, some of the deaths may not even be due to foul play.
These differences grow even clearer when looking at where the remains were discovered. Fox noted that the 12 bodies were found in 11 separate places, which lowers the chance of a single person being behind the deaths.
“There’s no pattern to the dump sites,” he said. Most serial killers choose one familiar location to leave their victims, often near home or work, where they feel safe and know the area well.
According to Fox, over 70 percent kill in just one spot. Since many have jobs and families, they do not have the time to travel long distances hunting for victims. Fox’s insights about the scattered locations further challenge the serial killer theory, yet the limited details released by police have allowed uncertainty to grow online.
Laurie Kramer, a professor of applied psychology at Northeastern, pointed out that the lack of public information has helped fuel online theories. She explained that strongly held beliefs can become even firmer when met with doubt.
According to Kramer, for some, fear of a serial killer may be tied to broader worries. She said sharing these concerns online can offer comfort, especially when others express similar views.
Kramer also mentioned that, for some users, discussing the mystery online might feel like a form of entertainment. She added that this might mirror the national mood today and expressed hope that authorities will eventually offer enough clear facts to ease public doubt.
Several bodies have been found across New England since early this year, sparking fears of a serial killer. However, authorities have stated there is no confirmed link between the cases.
Experts argue that the evidence does not fit typical patterns seen in serial killings. Despite this, online speculation continues to grow, fueled by limited information and widespread concern. Law enforcement and specialists urge caution and stress the importance of facts over rumors.
