Dark Downeast: The Murder of Deanna Cremin (Massachusetts)

Host: Kylie Low
Date: October 16, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Kylie Low examines the unsolved murder of 17-year-old Deanna Cremin in Somerville, Massachusetts. Through detailed narration, contemporary interviews, and a careful review of investigative records, the episode explores Deanna’s final hours, the original police investigation, the long impact on her family and community, and recent advances in forensic science that may finally break open a decades-old case.

Kylie Low presents the story with a focus on compassion and advocacy, honoring Deanna’s memory while calling for continued community involvement and action from authorities. The episode is especially timely as it coincides with heightened efforts by local officials and the Middlesex DA’s office to re-examine this and other cold cases.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Deanna’s Final Night and Discovery

[02:40–06:30]

• March 29, 1995: Deanna watched TV and did homework at her boyfriend Tommy LeBlanc’s house.
• She called her mother, Kathryn (Catherine) Cremen, to say she’d be late, then never came home.
• Next morning, after failed attempts to page Deanna, her absence led family to contact police; her body was discovered by two children behind the James J. Corbett Apartments, fewer than 500 feet from where Tommy claimed to have left her.
• Deanna was found strangled, partially nude, raising questions of a sexual assault.

Quote:
“The body found behind the senior housing development that morning was her daughter Deanna. She'd once babysat the children who found her.” — Kylie Lowe [05:42]

2. The Early Investigation: Suspects & Community Response

[06:30–17:00]

• Initial Suspects:

  • Boyfriend, Tommy LeBlanc: Last to see Deanna, emotional at her wake, but scrutinized due to proximity and alleged violent outbursts.
  • Somerville firefighter: His proximity (worked across from Deanna’s workplace), prominent family, and subsequent time off work came under review, but never publicly named as a suspect or charged.
  • Unidentified older male: Police released a sketch and solicited tips about a potential witness, not a suspect.

• Family & Community Advocacy:

  • Multiple billboards, community fundraisers, renaming of a street corner to Deanna Cremen Square, and annual memorial events demonstrated the community’s unity and persistent demand for justice.
  • Reward for information grew over the years to $70,000.

Quote:
“They created and sold shirts with words from her memorial service: ‘This is Deanna's message: to respect life. Someone did not respect hers.’” — Kylie Lowe [13:00]

3. Evolving Forensics & DNA Testing Challenges

[19:30–27:50]

• Forensic Developments:
  • Introduction of CODIS after Deanna’s murder and improvements in DNA analysis offer hope for a breakthrough, but Massachusetts has a backlog of 10,000–15,000 uncollected DNA samples from felony convicts.
  • The case of Lena Bruce (solved via new DNA matches) highlights how updated procedures can yield results.
  • Middlesex DA’s office focused on Deanna’s case, especially with the creation of a cold case unit in 2019.
• Recent Action:
  • In March 2025, Somerville City Council passed a resolution asking for reinvestigation of Deanna’s and Charlene Rosemond’s murders.
  • DA Marian Ryan addressed the council, emphasizing science, persistence, and partnerships, reassuring the community of her office’s commitment.

Quote:
“Justice may take years, but [DA Ryan] assured the council members and families...that her office remains committed until every case is resolved.” — Kylie Lowe [27:45]

4. Family and Friend Testimonies: The Ongoing Toll

[28:55–35:37]

• Catherine Cremen (Deanna's mother):
  • Shared the enduring nature of her grief, yet expressed hope in new forensics.
  • “Over the 30 years, I can't say that my horror has decreased. But believe it or not, my hope gets stronger because of new forensic science, because of diligent investigators...relatives and friends who don't let this go to sleep.” — Catherine Cremen [28:55]
• Jamie McDonald (friend):
  • Pleaded for further DNA testing and outside help, highlighting the emotional exhaustion of waiting with no answers.
  • “I'm asking DA please, whatever there is, whatever DNA we have not done, do it...Anything. I can't continue on and have no answer for my friend. I don't feel I am doing her justice right now.” — Jamie McDonald [29:47]

5. Barriers & Breakthroughs in DNA-Based Investigations

[30:10–33:50]

• DA Ryan clarified investigative challenges: degradation of samples, quality thresholds, legal need to preserve half of the DNA for defense retesting, and the reality that database matches are only possible if the perpetrator’s DNA is present.
• Forensic genealogy is a promising tool, allowing law enforcement to build family trees from relatives’ DNA profiles if direct matches aren’t present.

Quote:
“Advances in technology...have made it possible to analyze mixed DNA samples...But...a match is only possible if the person’s DNA is already in the database.” — Kylie Lowe, paraphrasing DA Marian Ryan [31:15]

6. Effects on the Cremen Family’s Life

[35:37–36:56]

• The impact of Deanna’s death was devastating: job loss, the breakup of Catherine’s marriage, home foreclosure, substance use struggles, and loss of custody of her other children. Yet, Catherine found purpose through peer support work and a continued commitment to Deanna’s memory.

7. Who Was Deanna? Her Life and Legacy

[36:56–38:40]

• Deanna aspired to be a preschool teacher and was beloved as the neighborhood babysitter.
• On the day of her death, she wrote five lifelong goals—graduate high school, get a job she enjoyed, buy a green Mustang, have a happy family, live a long and healthy life.
• Community efforts and memories reflect Deanna’s warmth, ambition, and kindness.

Quote:
“She was bubbly and outgoing, and she had a mischievous spirit...There was nothing about her lifestyle or behavior that had anyone worried about Deanna.” — Kylie Lowe [38:44]

8. Ongoing Commitment and Unanswered Questions

[37:57–41:10]

• Jamie McDonald reflects on the void and strain of never having answers after 30 years.
• Catherine Cremen reiterates her hope the case will be solved and urges people to remember Deanna for her ambitions and kindness.
• “I don’t know who killed Deanna for a fact. I know where my suspicions lie, but can’t close that door...until you have absolute proof...Never give up hope that Deanna’s murder is going to get solved.” — Catherine Cremen [40:29]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “It should have been a routine school night...But by morning Deanna was gone. Her body was discovered just a few hundred feet away from where she was last seen. The community was stunned. Who could do this and why?” — Kylie Lowe [01:38]
• “He has a history of a violent temper, and lately, if he doesn't get his own way, he will react irrationally...He has thrown lamps, furniture, etc. In his effort to maintain control over me...” — Affidavit from Tommy LeBlanc’s mother, Susan LeBlanc, read by Kylie Lowe [22:10]
• “For that reason, I'm begging you [Tommy] to please reach out to the Mass. State Police and be kind enough to offer to be re interviewed...I'm pleading with you to help me help Deanna.” — Catherine Cremen, in open letter [25:15]
• Jamie McDonald: “There has been no stone unturned...But we have a capacity...and here, 30 years later, which is unfathomable, to be here still and have the same answer that I had as that 16 year old girl when I was pulled out of high school to be told my friend was strangled to death. I have that same answer today, which is nothing. There’s no reason.” [37:57]
• Catherine Cremen, final words: “Never give up hope that Deanna’s murder is going to get solved.” [40:53]

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:38 | Kylie Lowe introduces the case of Deanna Cremin | | 05:15 | Discovery of Deanna’s body | | 13:00 | Early community response: billboards, advocacy | | 22:10 | Details of Tommy LeBlanc’s family restraining order | | 25:15 | Catherine’s open appeal to Tommy | | 27:45 | DA Marion Ryan’s council appearance and commitment | | 28:55 | Catherine Cremen’s moving testimony at council meeting | | 29:47 | Jamie McDonald’s plea for more DNA testing | | 31:15 | DA Ryan’s explanation of forensic limitations | | 37:57 | Jamie McDonald on 30 years without answers | | 40:29 | Catherine Cremen’s enduring hope |

Conclusion

Kylie Lowe closes the episode with a call for tips and a tribute to the determination of Deanna’s loved ones and the Somerville community. The episode remains hopeful that continued advances in forensic science and public pressure may eventually resolve the case, ensuring Deanna's life and legacy are never forgotten.

Tip Line: 617-544-7167