Cambridge Residents Seek Answers At Meeting On Danehy Park Murder

CAMBRIDGE, MA — More than 200 people packed into the Peabody school's auditorium seeking answers from police and investigators Thursday night a week after a man was beaten to death inside Danehy Park around the corner.

The mayor, city officials, the police commissioner and District Attorney Marian Ryan were all on hand to update residents who peppered them with suggestions about lighting in the park and asked questions for an hour about everything from a bat that was found nearby to what to tell children when it comes to safety.

But the main take away for many was that police don't seem to have a lot of new information tell them.

"I was hoping that more information was going to be provided," said Eliana Menzin who lives nearby. "Assuming they were being honest, the authorities didn't seem to have many leads to go on, which is disconcerting. It's unnerving."

Menzin said she's felt nervous about going out alone since 6'6 Paul Wilson who worked for IBM and traveled through the park regularly to and from work and exercise was killed because of blunt force trauma to the head.

"I've been feeling anxious and I'm sure that I will until it's solved," she said.

Around 6:46 p.m. Jan. 2, at least one person called Cambridge Police to report they found a man on the ground inside Danehy Park along the entrance to the park on the New Street side under a bright light.

When police got there, they found an unconscious man, later identified as Paul Wilson, with what appeared to be a serious head trauma along the path near a light. EMS rushed him to Beth Israel Hospital, but he was pronounced dead hours later.

Officials said the cause of death appears to be blunt force trauma. They said robbery is not likely a motive, because he was found with several possessions.

Investigators said they have no reason not to believe this was random, they also believe the attack took place where they found Wilson. It's unclear how or why a man as tall and as healthy as Wilson could have been killed, or if there were any signs he fought back.

"We're quite distressed," said Sabina Duborg. "The gentleman was 6'6. At 6'O'clock in the evening. How does that happen? It's a mystery to all of us. We'll just have to keep our eyes open, post posters and hopefully someone will come forward. It's terrible. It's really terrible."

Duborg commended police for putting the meeting together and letting everyone ask questions. She said She still planned to go to the park - just not after dark.

Police are still asking anyone with any information related to this incident to contact Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office at (781) 897-6600. Tips may be anonymous.

Cambridge Police can be reached at 617-349-3300.

Watch the full meeting with questions here:

RELATED:

• After Man Beaten To Death In Danehy Park, Police Ask For Help
• Cambridge Man Dies After Being Found With Head Trauma

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Photos by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff