Harry Christensen (R) and Richard Santeusanio (L) pose with their new book, "Murder in Marblehead: Who Killed Beryl Atherton?" Photo: Brooke McCarthy/WBZ NewsRadio
MARBLEHEAD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Two Marblehead men are hoping to crack the town's most infamous unsolved murder. Harry Christensen has been scouring the streets and collective memory of Marblehead about the murder of mild-mannered school teacher Beryl Atherton for 50 years. Now, he and co-author Richard Santeusanio have written a book about the case, "Murder in Marblehead: Who Killed Beryl Atherton?"
Beryl Atherton was a 47-year-old elementary school teacher in Marblehead at the time of her murder on November 25, 1950. She lived alone in a house on Sewell Street, and was murdered in the middle of a fierce storm. Atherton was known as a bit of a spinster in town, but Santeusanio says she did at least meet up with some men for dates.
Christensen has been looking into the case since the 1970's. He became so engrossed that he began to visit the scene of the crime on the anniversary of the murder, hoping the killer would show up too.
Santeusanio — Christensen's former boss in the Danvers school system and current best friend — said the book is an attempt to finally bring Beryl's killer to justice.
"This is a sincere effort on our part to get the community to contribute to the solving of this mystery and unsolved murder," said Santeusanio.
To that end, the authors have made it easy for people with theories to submit tips on their website.
WBZ's Brooke McCarthy (@BrookeWBZ) spoke to the authors:
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