Episode 93 | Cold Case Update: Henry Bedard, Jr, Swampscott, Mass, with Bob Ward of Boston 25 News
- Anngelle Wood
- Oct 3, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: May 20
New England Cold Case Update. In this episode of Crime of the Truest Kind, we revisit the unsolved 1974 murder of Henry Bedard Jr. in Swampscott, Massachusetts—a cold case that still haunts the North Shore.
Veteran crime reporter Bob Ward talks about the renewed investigation into the 1974 unsolved murder of Henry Bedard Jr., a 15-year-old from Swampscott, Massachusetts. Bob broke the story of Henry’s October 1, 2025 exhumation at Swampscott Cemetery, a major development led by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office. Together, we revisit the details of Henry’s disappearance after Christmas shopping in Vinnin Square, the discovery of his body behind the present-day DPW building, and the mysteries surrounding Henry's death, and the murder weapon left behind. This episode explores the power of forensic science, the persistence of cold case investigators, and the enduring grief and hope of a community. The arm of justice is long.
Timeline of Henry Bedard Jr.’s disappearance and murder
Details of the 2025 exhumation and forensic goals
Bob Ward’s reflections on covering cold cases
Ethical storytelling, advocacy, and community remembrance
If you have information about the murder of Henry Bedard Jr., contact the Essex County District Attorney’s Office - 978-745-6610 - Swampscott Police - 781-595-1111, Mass State Police at 1-855-MA-SOLVE.
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Bob Ward broke the story of Henry Bedard, Jr's exhumation on Boston 25 News
PHOTOS FROM EPISODE 93: Hope Cottage, Boston 25 News photos, Henry Bedard, Jr from the Bedard family, the murder weapon, the perfume Henry got for his sister Cheryl, her favorite.
Who Killed Henry Bedard, Jr? Hope House Swampscott The perfume Henry bought that day, his sister's favorite Boston 25 News photo of Henry Bedard Jr's exhumation site Boston 25 News photo of location Henry Bedard Jr was last seen 
Henry Bedard, Jr from henrybedard.wordpress.com/ 
Henry Bedard, Jr from henrybedard.wordpress.com/ Henry Bedard, Jr from henrybedard.wordpress.com/ The murder weapon, Henry Bedard, Jr from henrybedard.wordpress.com/ Flier for Henry Bedard, Jr from henrybedard.wordpress.com/ The Bedard Kids from henrybedard.wordpress.com/ Flier with reward info in Henry Bedard, Jr from henrybedard.wordpress.com/ Boston 25 News headline breaking the story on Oct 1 The markings on bat believed to be the murder weapon Henry Bedard, Jr from henrybedard.wordpress.com The Bedards Henry Bedard, Jr from henrybedard.wordpress.com/
