More than three decades after the brutal killing of a young Massachusetts woman, her loved ones and law enforcement officials are once again appealing to the public for critical information that could finally solve the case. Thirty-four years have elapsed since Susan "Su" Taraskiewicz was found slain, yet the determination of her family to uncover the truth and hold her killer accountable remains as resolute as ever.
On Saturday, a solemn gathering of approximately 100 supporters, including family members, close friends, and active investigators, assembled at Constitution Beach in East Boston. The location held deep personal significance, positioned directly across the water from Logan International Airport, where the 27-year-old Saugus resident spent her final working hours before her life was violently cut short.
The memorial served as both a tribute to Taraskiewicz’s memory and a public demonstration that the passage of time has not diminished the search for answers. Attendees observed 34 seconds of complete silence, dedicating one second to each year that has passed without an arrest since the young woman's murder in September 1992.
Addressing those gathered, the victim’s mother, Marlene Taraskiewicz, spoke candidly about the persistent emotional toll of enduring an unsolved tragedy for more than a generation. She shared that while she manages to cope during most of the year, the arrival of each September anniversary brings a profound and inescapable wave of grief.
Standing near the waters of East Boston, Marlene Taraskiewicz also directed a sharp, unyielding message toward anyone who continues to conceal details surrounding the homicide. She warned those who possess vital knowledge that their time to step forward is running out, emphasizing that holding onto such dark secrets will not protect them indefinitely.
"To the people who know what happened to Su, the people who have carried that truth for 34 years, I just have one thing to say: tick-tock," she declared to the crowd. She emphasized her enduring faith in accountability, adding that while thirty-four years represents an agonizingly long wait, justice delayed is not justice denied.
The unsolved case dates back to early September 1992, when Taraskiewicz was employed as a ramp crew chief at Logan Airport. Colleagues and investigators noted that she temporarily stepped away from her work shift with the intention of picking up sandwiches for her fellow crew members. Tragically, she never returned to the airport terminal.
The search for the missing airport employee ended the following morning, on September 14, 1992, in the nearby city of Revere. Law enforcement officers discovered Taraskiewicz's body concealed inside the trunk of her own vehicle, which had been abandoned outside a local auto body repair facility.
Autopsy findings and crime scene evidence revealed that Taraskiewicz had been brutally beaten and stabbed before being left in the trunk of the car. The violent nature of the assault shocked the local community and initiated an intensive, multi-agency homicide investigation that continues to remain open decades later.
Over the course of the past 34 years, detectives have dedicated significant resources to re-examining evidence, pursuing numerous leads, and scrutinizing multiple individuals as potential suspects. Despite these persistent investigative efforts, authorities have not yet secured sufficient evidence to make a formal arrest or bring charges against a perpetrator.
Investigators note that long-term cold case investigations often rely heavily on shifts in personal relationships and advances in community cooperation. Over thirty years, allegiances can change, and witnesses who previously felt intimidated or reluctant may now feel safe enough to share what they know with police.
To encourage anyone with vital knowledge to come forward, Delta Air Lines continues to offer a substantial financial incentive. The carrier maintains a $250,000 reward for credible information that directly leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for Taraskiewicz's murder.
Corporate and community rewards of this magnitude are designed to break through decades of silence, providing a compelling motivation for people who may have overheard crucial details or witnessed suspicious behavior around the time of the crime.
State and local authorities emphasize that the investigation into Taraskiewicz’s death is far from dormant. The case remains actively monitored by specialized investigators who continue to review established case files alongside any newly submitted tips.
Law enforcement agencies are urging anyone who holds even the smallest piece of information regarding the September 1992 disappearance and murder of Susan Taraskiewicz to step forward. Tips can be submitted directly to the Massachusetts State Police or the Suffolk District Attorney's Office as detectives continue their pursuit of long-awaited closure.
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