UPDATE: Suspect Named In Salem State Student's 1986 Killing

SALEM, MA — A suspect was indicted Wednesday in the killing of a Salem State student that had gone unsolved for 36 years.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office said DA Jonathan Blodgett said on Wednesday that 63-year-old John Carey, who Blodgett said was convicted of attempted murder in 2008 and is serving his sentence at MCI Concord, was indicted earlier that morning in the 1986 killing of Claire Gravel, the 20-year-old computer science major whose body was found in the woods on the northbound side of Route 128 in Beverly near the Wenham line one day after she was reported missing.

Gravel, originally from North Andover, was at a Salem bar in June of 1986 when she accepted a ride home from a friend. The friend dropped her off near her apartment next to the Salem State campus and she then disappeared.

Her body was found by the highway the next day. Blodgett said on Wednesday that she had been strangled to death.

"Over the years investigators have interviewed dozens of persons of interest and followed through on every lead and tip they received," Blodgett said during a Wednesday midday news conference. "We continually review cold cases hoping that new techniques and a fresh look will result in a breakthrough. We are mindful of the victims and their family members who continue to want answers.

"They are not forgotten. We will continue to seek those responsible and hold them accountable."

Blodgett said evidence recovered from Gravel's clothing — which was first identified in 2012 — was "instrumental to solving this case."

Blodgett said more information on that evidence would be provided at an upcoming arraignment where the suspect will be arraigned on one count of first-degree murder.

Gravel would be 57 years old today.

"She has surviving family members," Blodgett said. "We've been in touch with the family. I believe she has two brothers and a sister who we have been in contact with. Her father is alive. He provided us with the picture (of Gravel) that he's carried in his wallet for 36 years.

"Her family is aware (of the indictment) and gratified. Very relieved. Very, very grateful that people who are all here (at the news conference) involved in this case never stopped trying to pursue justice for their loved one, Claire."

The news conference involved several members of the Beverly and Salem police departments who helped with the investigation of the case dating back more than a decade.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)