Case Of Teen Found Dead Along I-495 Gets New Police Attention

BELLINGHAM, MA — After more than 40 years, Theresa Corley's killer might still be out there somewhere.

State police recently released a deck of trading cards featuring unsolved murders from across Massachusetts, including one about Corley's 1978 strangling. The cards are meant to spur new tips about cases that are older, but still under investigation.

"These cards highlight fifty-two unsolved homicides and missing persons cases throughout Massachusetts," state police said in a news release. "These cards are being distributed to correction facilities and used exclusively by inmates to generate information and leads to solving these unresolved cases. Every tip has the potential to bring law enforcement one step closer to obtaining justice for victims and a sense of closure for their surviving family members."

Corley, a Franklin resident, was found dead in a ditch along I-495 near Bellingham in December 1978. She had been strangled to death, according to police.

According to Bellingham police, Corley was at the former Train Stop bar in Franklin on Dec. 4, 1978, and later left and went to a nearby apartment building. She left the Presidential Arms Apartments along Route 140 after an apparent sexual assault. She was later seen by a truck driver walking near downtown Bellingham about one mile from her home — the last time she was seen by anyone.

Days later, her body was found along the northbound lanes of I-495, according to police. Corley's family is also still involved in tracking down tips about the killing. The case was also featured by the "Catch My Killer" podcast in September.

If you have information about the case, you can call the state police unsolved crimes unit at I-855-MA-SOLVE.