State Police on Wednesday appealed for those with information about the 1992 murder of Susan Taraskiewicz to come forward on the 30th anniversary of the Saugus woman’s slaying.
On the morning of Sept. 14, 1992 Taraskiewicz’s body was found in the trunk of her car, which had been left outside an auto repair shop on Route 1A in Revere. The day before, she left her shift as a ramp supervisor at Logan Airport to pick up sandwiches for her co-workers. She never returned to Logan or her home.
The investigation into Taraskiewicz’s killing is ongoing through street-level investigative tactics, application of forensic capabilities to existing evidence, and continued outreach to those who might have information about the case. Officials said they know a “good deal” about the slaying, but, much still needs to be done to close the case once and for all, State Police said.
“There is more information that we still need to obtain or confirm before we can finally secure justice for Susan. There are people walking around today, going about their lives, who have that information. Of that we are certain,” State Police said in a Facebook post. “And so, again, we make a plea to anyone who can help us cross the last few miles of this marathon investigation. If you have any information about Susan‘s murder or the person or people who may have been involved, please contact us.”
Taraskiewicz grew up in Saugus with her brother and sister, going on to study at Salem State College, North Shore Community College, and then MA College of Art, according to the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance. She also received high marks on the Fire Fighter Placement exam, which positioned her eighth on the reserve list for the Swampscott Fire Department.
“The detectives and prosecutors who have investigated, and continue to investigate, Susan’s homicide have done outstanding work to advance this case to the point we are at today,” said State Police Colonel Christopher Mason. “We, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to seeing this investigation through to its only acceptable end, namely, that the person or persons who took Susan’s life are brought to justice and that her survivors at long last know that their daughter and sister has been spoken for.”
At the time of her killing, Taraskiewicz worked for Northwest Airlines, who offered a $250,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case. Northwest was later absorbed by Delta, who informed Taraskiewicz’s mother that the offer for a reward was still in place, State Police said.
“Whatever reason you had for remaining silent until now doesn’t matter anymore. Time passes, and people change. Maybe you were scared. Maybe you were protecting someone, or maybe you just did not want to get involved in a police investigation. Yet time passes, and people change. So, too, do priorities, and the reasons for keeping quiet maybe don’t seem so important anymore. Not when compared to the chance to do the right thing before it’s too late. And it’s not too late,” State Police said. “It’s a long time past September 14, 1992, but not too late.”
Those with information about Taraskiewicz’s killing are encouraged to call the State Police Detective Unit for Suffolk County at (617) 727-8817.
“What was done to Susan Taraskiewicz three decades ago should not be allowed to stand unanswered,” State Police said. “Your call might be the difference.”
Charlie McKenna can be reached at [email protected].