Photo: Carl Stevens/WBZ NewsRadio
Updated 10/1/25 4:31 p.m.
SWAMPSCOTT, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Law enforcement exhumed the body of Henry Bedard Jr., whose murder has gone unsolved for decades, Wednesday at Swampscott Cemetery for an autopsy.
Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said "advances in technology and science, particularly with DNA," led investigators to "make the request for the court order for the exhumation."
Bedard was last seen alive on Dec. 16, 1974 when he was 15 years old. He had gone Christmas shopping and was seeing walking on Paradise Road, according to a statement from the District Attorney's Office. His body was found "the next day in the woods off of Suffolk Avenue in Swampscott behind the present-day DPW building on Paradise Road," the statement read.
Authorities said he was beaten to death with a baseball bat with "unique markings on the handle."
“What happened to Henry has never left this town, and young or old, all of the community still talks about Henry and what happened on that fateful day,” Swampscott Chief of Police Ruben Quesada said.
Bedard was a student athlete while working at his father's service station in Danvers, according to the DA's Office.
"Prior to his death, Bedard loved spending time with his family and friends, and was a beloved member of the Swampscott community," the office said.
Carrie Weisenfeld knew Bedard growing up, and was one grade below him in school. She came to the cemetery on Wednesday.
"Who knows if the person that did it is even still alive. That's a concern, but I mean, we need closure on this case," Weisenfeld said.
Authorities are asking anyone with any information about Bedard's murder to call the Unresolved Case Unit tip line at 1-855-MA-SOLVE or email mspunresolved@pol.state.ma.us.