Woman Fabricated Knife Assault On Upper Charles-Milford Bike Trail: Police

MILFORD, MA — After a thorough investigation, it turns out that a woman who said she was assaulted while hiking on a trail in Milford made the whole story up.

On Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, a 38-year-old woman from Franklin reported to Milford police that she was assaulted while walking on the Upper Charles-Milford Bike Trail in the area of Beaver Street and East Main Street (Route 16). She said she was knocked to the ground and attacked by a man with a knife and received several cuts.

Police initially found no suspects after searching the area.

Detectives conducted a thorough investigation of the allegations and found "no evidence to substantiate that the incident occurred as alleged," according to Police Chief Tom O'Loughlin. The alleged victim made allegations that injuries she she had on Dec. 25 were related to those that happened on Dec. 15. They were refuted by medical experts and by photographs.

Milford police concluded that the "incident did not occur as alleged by the woman."

The woman is receiving necessary medical services and assistance, and neither the Worcester DA or Milford police deemed it necessary to file criminal charges, or release her name.

Police stressed that the area is safe and is patrolled periodically by police on ATVs and on foot.