Swampscott Police Look For Answers In Unsolved Killing 48 Years Later

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — The Swampscott Police Department made its annual call for anyone who has any information on the unsolved killing of 15-year-old Henry Bedard on the 48th anniversary of his death on Friday.

Bedard was found buried under a pile of leaves with a Louisville Slugger baseball bat located just feet from his body near the hill overlooking the Department of Public Works. Police said it was a popular hangout spot for kids in 1974. Police said it is possible Bedard was going there to meet people and do not know if his killing was a random act of violence or at the hand of someone he knew.

Swampscott police and the Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Essex County District Attorney's Office have continued to investigate the case.

A Chronicle segment produced on the 30th anniversary of his killing includes memories of Bedard from his family and those who cared about him, as well as other theories about what might have happened in the woods that day.

Police said they believe the etchings on the handle of the baseball bat may lead to the owner of the bat and help solve the case.

"Over the years this case has had many pieces of information brought to investigators, along with numerous interviews to obtain as much info as possible," Swampscott police said. "As in any investigation of this nature, an attempt to connect physical evidence to those individual(s) involved is the goal."

Those with any information on the bat, or any other aspect of the case, are asked to contact Swampscott Det. Jay Locke at jlocke@swampscottpolice.com, Det. Candace Doyle at cdoyle@swampscottpolice.com or Det. Ted Delano at tdelano@swampscottpolice.com.

(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.)