Criminology Podcast: The Connecticut River Valley Killings, Part 1

Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Morford
Date: June 15, 2025
Episode: 363

Overview

In this episode, the Criminology hosts dive deep into the Connecticut River Valley killings, a series of unsolved murders and attacks that spanned two decades (1968–1989) across New England, primarily the rural, wooded area along the Connecticut River. Ferguson and Morford explore the cases commonly considered part of the series, as well as potential outliers, highlighting both the frightening patterns and the investigative challenges. This episode (part one of two) sets out to make sense of the connections, victims, and early theories, leading up to the emergence of a task force and a rare survivor’s story.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to the Series & Main Questions (02:15–04:27)

• Geographical & Temporal Context:
  The Connecticut River Valley area spans Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont; known for its natural beauty and historic towns.
• The Central Mystery:
  "Was there a Connecticut River Valley serial killer, or were these attacks unrelated?" (02:27)
• Nature of the Cases:
  The accepted victims are largely women found stabbed and left outdoors, with a handful of cases considered potential outliers due to method, location, or victim profile.

Early Attacks: Chronological Breakdown

Catherine Milliken, 1978 (04:27–06:02)

• The Crime:
  26-year-old Milliken killed while photographing birds; found with more than 20 stab wounds.
• Significance:
  No links to her inner circle, suggesting “a harbinger of what’s to come” (05:11).

The "98% Known Victim" Statistic (06:02–07:55)

• Quote – Mike Ferguson:
  "98% of all murders are committed by someone known to the victim. That is a very high number." (06:06)
• Discussion:
  The brutality usually suggests personal motive, complicating cases involving stranger killings.

Mary Elizabeth Critchley (Betsy), 1981 (07:55–09:54)

• The Crime:
  College student hitchhiking; body found 95 miles from intended destination two weeks later. Cause of death undetermined.
• Reflection:
  The inherent danger of hitchhiking, which "was almost tailor made for, you know, a killer who’s out searching." (10:24)

Sylvia Gray, 1982 (11:05–12:48)

• Details:
  76-year-old widow stabbed and beaten, found near her own home—unusual for the series.
• Outlier:
  Both age and proximity to home set her apart, but some similarities in MO.

Series Complexity & Challenges (12:48–13:43)

• Quote – Mike Ferguson:
  "It would be very easy if all of the victims were... all stabbed with the same type of instrument. But that’s not usually the case." (12:52)

Heidi Lee Martin, 1984 (14:02–16:26)

• Circumstances:
  16-year-old found stabbed and drowned near a school. Evidence of possible redressing.
  A suspect confessed and recanted, later acquitted.
• Observation:
  The puzzling nature of false confessions in high-profile murders.

Bernice Cordemanche, 1984 (16:26–17:13)

• Victim:
  17-year-old last seen hitchhiking, found two years later, stabbed.
• Emergence of a Pattern:
  Mid-1984, police begin to connect missing and murdered women.

Ellen Ruth Freed, 1984 (17:13–20:16)

• Incident:
  26-year-old nurse, last heard on a payphone conversation with her sister, noting a car circling her.
  Found a year later, stabbed, likely sexually assaulted.
• Quote – Ferguson:
  "You couple that with the fact that she mentioned to her sister this car, right? Circling the parking lot. That becomes a big clue in the case." (19:46)

Eva Marie Morse, 1985 (22:48–23:46)

• Incident:
  27-year-old disappeared hitchhiking; her body found near where Critchley was located.
• Strong Connection:
  Two victims found within 500ft—hosts note this is likely the work of one killer.

Linda Moore, 1986 (24:48–26:28)

• Unique Case:
  36-year-old stabbed over 20 times inside her home in rural Vermont; only home-invasion case in the series.
• Eyewitness:
  Sketch developed from a neighbor’s sighting; man later ruled out.
• Hosts Debate:
  Whether this deviation in MO rules the case out or could indicate a "broken pattern" by the killer.

Patterns, Investigative Complications, and the Task Force

Task Force Formed, Historic Connections (29:24–31:17)

• Investigators’ Realization:
  Multiple women found dead or missing within miles of each other.
• Creation of Task Force:
  Seen as a response to rising public fear and pressure.

Stephen Hill, 1986 (31:55–33:58)

• Oddity:
  Only male victim; stabbed 12 times, found relatively close to female victims but not universally accepted as part of the series.

Barbara Agnew, 1987 (33:58–39:43)

• Clues:
  Nurse abducted from a snowy rest stop; car abandoned with blood evidence, but mishandling of scene by authorities.
• Quote – Ferguson:
  "Why would that car not immediately be treated as a crime scene? … It seems like there was a number of missteps here, to say the least." (36:45)
• Result:
  Found stabbed under an apple tree nearly three months later.

Survival and Police Frustration

The Attack on Jane Borowski, 1988 (39:43–50:55)

• The Attempted Murder:
  Seven months pregnant, Borowski is attacked at a vending machine stop, stabbed 27 times, but survives.
• Her Account (Memorable Quote):
  “I was just thinking, oh my God, why is this guy doing this? He wanted me to go with him and I was determined not to go with him.” (41:43, Jane Borowski)
• Aftermath:
  Despite severe wounds, drives herself to a friend's home; both she and her baby survive.
• Suspect Description:
  Clear description of attacker and vehicle given under hypnosis; police identify 300+ potential vehicles but make no conclusive match.
• Reflection:
  The rarity and chilling nature of a survivor's account in serial cases; Borowski later becomes an advocate and podcast host.

Series Characteristics & Theories (50:55–53:40)

• Commonalities:
  Most victims: female, stabbed (often excessively), many found outdoors in wooded/secluded areas, some possible sexual assault.
• Quote – Morford:
  “The stabbings, the bodies being found outside… just seems to line up more than it doesn’t line up.” (51:52)
• Continuing Pressure:
  Community anxiety led police to err on the side of caution with a task force, openly recognizing a possible serial killer.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the statistical rarity of stranger killings:
  “Strangers don’t usually have a reason to be angry with you.” — Mike Ferguson (06:44)
• On the terror of random violence:
  “What’s more frightening, that you have one maniac running around doing all this or several?” — Mike Morford (13:44)
• On survivor Jane Borowski:
  “It’s just unbelievable... It’s a miracle that both survived.” — Mike Morford (46:00)
• Reflecting on police investigation:
  “It seems like there was a number of missteps here, to say the least.” — Mike Ferguson (38:31)

Key Segment Timestamps

• Case Overview & Main Questions — 02:15
• Catherine Milliken's Murder — 04:27
• The Known-victim Percentage Stat — 06:02
• Mary Elizabeth Critchley — 07:55
• Heidi Lee Martin — 14:02
• Ellen Ruth Freed — 17:13
• Eva Morse — 22:48
• Linda Moore’s Home-Invasion — 24:48
• Formation of Task Force — 29:24
• Barbara Agnew’s Mishandled Crime Scene — 35:18
• Jane Borowski’s Survival Story — 39:43
• Summing Up Pattern & Community Fear — 50:55

Tone & Style

The hosts maintain a thoughtful, meticulous, and conversational style—presenting grim facts with respect for the victims and a deep understanding of the fears and frustrations both of law enforcement and the community. They actively question the limitations of police investigations, reflect on how difficult it is to connect or separate cases, and show particular empathy during the discussion of survivor Jane Borowski.

Up Next

Part 2 will address additional possible victims and zero in on potential suspects, further probing the Connecticut River Valley killings.

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