The TV star fisherman and his crew who went missing off the coast of Massachusetts after their boat sank in the midst of dangerous winter weather plaguing the East Coast, have been presumed dead.
The search for Capt. Gus Sanfilippo, his crew and a fishery observer from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was called off Saturday, officials said.
Sanfilippo —- a fifth generation commercial fisherman out of Gloucester, Massachusetts — was featured alongside his crew on the Lily Jean in a 2012 episode of the History Channel show ‘Nor’Easter Men.’
Fishing boats are tied up in Gloucester, Massachusetts, the home port of a vessel that went missing at sea with seven people aboard, on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. AP
The show documented Sanfilippo and his crew working in dangerous conditions for hours on end, spending as many as 10 days at sea on one fishing trip.
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The group, which according to the Daily Mail is now considered lost, was on board the 72-foot boat early Friday when the Coast Guard received a radio beacon alert.
The beacon alert — which is a distress device that transmits a signal via satellites to rescuers when a vessel is in danger — was registered to Sanfilippo’s boat, the Lily Jean.
Gloucester fishermen Nino, Joe, and Gus Sanfilippo (Middle) on their fishing boat. goodmorninggloucester
The Coast Guard issued an emergency alert after not being able to make contact with the crew, and sent a helicopter and boat crew to the location, according to the agency.
Rescuers found one person dead, floating in the water amongst debris and an empty lifeboat when they arrived at the location.
The rest of the crew has not been publicly identified. The Coast Guard did not immediately return a request for comment.
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Coast Guard Commander Timothy Jones, who led the initial search effort, noted that sea spray was freezing on vessels in the area and caused a serious danger to both the missing fishing crew and rescuers.
Search and rescue crews covered around 1,000 square miles of the ocean trying to locate the missing six crew members — using multiple aircraft, cutters and small boats in the 24 hours since the boat fatefully sank, The Associated Press reported.
Flowers are seen placed at the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial in Gloucester after a fishing boat went missing with multiple people on board, on Jan. 30, 2026. AP
After consultation between search and rescue mission coordinators and on-scene commanders, the Coast Guard determined on Saturday that all reasonable search efforts for the missing crew members had been exhausted.
Jamie Frederick, the Coast Guard’s Sector Commander, said that the chilling temps, winter conditions and the vast nature of the ocean makes finding survivors at night a difficult task — and even more so with the incoming nor’easter set to hit the East Coast this weekend.
“That is the equivalent of searching for a coconut in the ocean,” Frederick said.
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The National Weather Service said that winds at sea were around 27 mph, with waves reaching around four feet high at the time the emergency alert was issued yesterday.
Offshore fishing vessels are docked near the State Fish Pier in Gloucester where one of the community’s fishing boats went missing off the coast of Massachusetts with multiple people on board, on Friday. AP
The temperature at sea where the boat sank was 12 degrees — with a water temperature of about 39 degrees.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on Friday it was aware that one of their fishery observers — who collected data on board of fishing boats for the government to use to inform regulations — was on board at the time it sank.
Commercial fishing is often cited as one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, especially in New England — with winter bringing even more danger from high waves, chilling temps and unpredictable weather patterns.
Vito Giacalone, head of the Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund, warned that deep-sea fishing can be a hazardous and tough living to begin with and that “it’s as safe as the elements and all of the things allow it to be.”
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“Gus was a very seasoned experienced fisherman,” Giacalone said, knowing Sanfilippo as a hard worker from a fishing family from his early captain’s days.
Giacalone said that he and the longstanding fishing industry in Gloucester are distraught by the news.
“He did well for himself. I was proud of him,” Giacalone said.
“And now the dock we own, he ties his boat at the dock so we see him every day. He’s been to all my kids’´weddings. That’s how close we were. I feel a sense of loss. A lot of us do.”
Gus Sanfilippo’s 72-foot boat, the Lily Jean, is pictured. facebook
Republican State Senator Bruce Tarr — a good friend of Sanfilippo’s — confirmed that seven people were onboard of the boat and was emotional speaking of his missing friend.
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“He’s a person that has a big smile, and he gives you a warm embrace when he sees you,’ Tarr said. ‘He is very, very skilled at what he does,” Tarr emotionally said, noting that ‘the fact the vessel now rests at the bottom of the ocean is very hard to understand’ given Sanfilippo’s experience.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy said she was “heartbroken” to hear about the boat’s sinking in a statement.
“I am praying for the crew, and my heart goes out to their loved ones and all Gloucester fishing families during this awful time,” she said.
Everett Sawyer, 55, a close childhood friend of Sanfillippo,said he has known 25 people who have been lost at sea — and noted that dangerous winter conditions can present severe challenges for even the most experienced sailors.
“Things happen very quickly when you’re out in the ocean,” Sawyer said.
WESTBORO, MASS. (WHDH) – A Westboro police officer became the first officer to ever be crowned Miss Massachusetts over the weekend.
Ashlyn Mercier, who is from Worcester, highlighted her community service initative “Nick’s Courage: One Smile Goes A Mile.” It’s named after her younger brother Nick, who is a two-time pediatric cancer survivor.
“I created this initiative really just to give back to the community, and to provide hope for children who are battling critcal illnesses,” Mercier said.
Mercier said her fellow officers at the Westboro Police Department have been nothing but supportive of her win. She said she’s proud to represent police officers on a national stage.
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“The department has been so supportive, and it’s just really filled my heart with so much pride, and and so much joy on the Miss America stage, and also to represent law enforcement officers across the country,” she said. “I’m super thrilled and just honored to represent Miss Massachusetts 2026.”
She said pageantry and policing skills have crossover.
“The ability to perform on the spot as you are in pageantry, and in my job, responding to calls that require me to act quickly and respond with a calm, cool level-minded head, these are all things I do in my role as Miss Massaschusetts, and my role as Officer Mercier,” she said.
Mercier is also set to compete in the Miss America pageant in September.
(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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Family members of slain trooper George Hanna Jr. speak before killer’s parole hearing
Family members of State Police Trooper George Hanna Jr., shot on Feb. 26, 1983, outside an Auburn liquor store, speak moments before Hanna’s killer, José Colon, goes before the Parole Board in Natick.
The Massachusetts Parole Board has denied parole for Jose Colon, who was convicted of killing State Trooper George Hanna in 1983.
Colon became eligible for parole after a 2024 court ruling regarding offenders who were under 21 at the time of their crimes.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey expressed support for the board’s decision to deny parole.
The Massachusetts Parole Board has denied parole for a man who was convicted in the slaying of Massachusetts State Trooper George Hanna in 1983, saying he has failed to take full responsibility for his actions.
Jose Colon, now 64, killed Hanna, of Holliston and originally of Natick, on Feb. 26, 1983, outside an Auburn liquor store.
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In its ruling, the Parole Board cited several reasons in its decision to deny parole. Those included that Colon testified during his parole hearing that he had been sober for 30 years, contradicting evidence of drug use during that time while in prison. It also cited the fact that he denied committing an armed robbery two days prior to killing Hanna, despite pleading guilty to the crime.
The Board also wrote that Colon hasn’t taken full responsibility for killing Hanna.
“Although he accepts responsibility, Mr. Colon maintains that he closed his eyes and fired his gun six times, hitting Trooper Hanna all six times,” the Board wrote. “He insists he had no intention of harming or killing Trooper Hanna. (However) Mr. Colon did appear to be remorseful that his actions led to the death of Trooper Hanna.”
‘What I did was wrong’: Opponents say state trooper’s killer should not get parole
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Although Colon was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, a Supreme Judicial Court decision in 2024 ruled that those younger than 21 at the time a crime is committed can’t be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Colon was 20 when he killed Hanna.
Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early applauded the Parole Board’s decision.
“We are pleased with the Parole Board’s decision and grateful that it carefully considered the seriousness of this crime and its lasting impact on the Hanna family and our community,” Early said in a statement. “Our thoughts remain with the Hanna family, whose strength and perseverance throughout this process have been remarkable.”
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State trooper intervened on armed robbery attempt
Hanna was killed on Feb. 26, 1983. According to published reports, that night Hanna pulled over a red Chevy Vega in the parking lot of J&S Liquors on Southbridge Street in Auburn. He did not know that the three men in the car were there to rob the store. All three were armed with handguns.
Hanna frisked one of the men and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, Colon shot Hanna six times. Hanna was shot a total of seven times.
Colon, Emilio Otero and Miguel Rosado, were all convicted of first-degree murder. Colon was the only one younger than 20 at the time, so the SJC ruling only affected him.
In a statement, Gov. Maura Healey celebrated the Parole Board’s decision.
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“I strongly opposed Jose Colon’s parole and am grateful that the Parole Board denied his request,” she said in a statement released by her office on Monday, June 22. “More than four decades after Trooper George Hanna was brutally murdered while serving and protecting the people of Massachusetts, his loss continues to be felt by his family, fellow law enforcement officers and communities across our state. Today’s decision recognizes the magnitude of that loss and provides some measure of relief to those who have fought to ensure his memory is never forgotten.”
Hanna grew up in Natick, the son of longtime Natick Police Officer George Hanna Sr., and became a state trooper in 1974. He was married and had three children, and was living in Holliston at the time of his death.
A series of awards in his name, The Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery, are the highest the state presents to police officers who exhibit exceptional bravery while in the line of duty.
Colon admitted to wrongdoing at parole hearing
During his parole hearing on Jan. 15, Colon admitted what he did was wrong.
“What I did was wrong and inexcusable,” he said during the five-hour hearing in Natick. “I will have to live with that for the rest of my life. I have asked God for forgiveness. I hope that one day the Hanna family will forgive me for the suffering I’ve brought into their life.”
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The Board wrote in its decision that it realized Colon was not eligible to participate in several programs that most people seeking parole could because he was serving a life sentence with no chance at parole, until the court’s ruling.
However, the board also wrote that it felt Colon needs to seek treatment regarding his history of trauma and other issues that were contributing factors to the shooting.
“The Board recommends that Mr. Colon address the concerns of the Board, specifically related to accountability and treatment needs,” according to the decision. “The Board concludes Jose Colon has not demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.”
Colon is eligible to seek parole again in 2029.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at Facebook.com/NormanMillerJournalist.
Federal prosecutors said Henriques victimized numerous girls and young women online between the ages of 12 and 18. According to court records, Henriques met or spoke with at least eight admitted or prospective students before later contacting them using information obtained through the college’s admissions system.
The case centered on a 17-year-old prospective student whom Henriques met during a campus tour. Prosecutors said Henriques reviewed the student’s tour registration form, which included her date of birth, and learned she was still in high school. Within hours of the tour, Henriques began texting the student using the phone number she had provided on her admissions form.
