Northeast
Martha Moxley case: Kennedy cousin points to ‘bold-faced lies,’ missing evidence in murder probe
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The Kennedy cousin formerly at the center of the notorious case involving the death of Martha Moxley, the daughter of an affluent Connecticut family, has broken his silence to reveal new loose ends and theories regarding the decades-long mystery.
Michael Skakel, cousin of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., spent 11 years behind bars for the 1975 murder of Martha Moxley. In 2013, Skakel walked out of prison as a free man and later saw his conviction vacated in a move that further deepened the mystery of who Moxley’s true killer is.
In the final episode of NBC News’ podcast, “Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder,” several possible suspects and additional evidence were spotlighted, though loose ends regarding the unresolved case still remain, according to Connecticut Insider.
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“Being Michael Skakel has been a blessing and a curse. I’ve met some proudly great people in this world,” Michael Skakel said on the podcast.
“At the same time, because of what this trial and this case did to me, people only know what they know. They only know what that box in their living room tells them. And most of it has been bold-faced lies.”
Kennedy relative Michael Skakel gets into a car after walking out of a Stamford, Conn., courthouse in November 2013 after his murder conviction in the death of Martha Moxley was vacated when a judge ruled he did not receive adequate representation in his 2002 trial. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
The episode reportedly highlighted a stain found in the Moxley family’s TV room by Theresa Tirado, a maid at the household, one day after the 15-year-old girl was murdered outside of her Greenwich home Oct. 30, 1975.
In Tirado’s account to police at the time, she noticed that Martha Moxley’s brother John’s bed was empty and his door was open the morning of the murder, but she had not yet been told the teenager was missing. At 9 a.m., Tirado reportedly heard a loud crash in the house and witnessed John Moxley and a friend, John Harvey, watching television about 15 minutes later.
At around 11 a.m., Tirado told investigators, the two boys went outside right around the same time she heard another loud crash inside the house. The pair then returned to the house briefly before leaving, Connecticut Insider reported.
When Tirado later went into the TV room, she noticed smear marks that were believed to be blood. However, she reportedly wiped up the marks, not realizing what it potentially was.
KENNEDY COUSIN TIED TO MARTHA MOXLEY CASE BREAKS SILENCE 50 YEARS LATER AS MURDER REMAINS UNSOLVED
Martha Moxley when she was 14 years old (Erik Freeland/Corbis via Getty Images)
John Moxley later corroborated Tirado’s account regarding his and Harvey’s whereabouts, though he told investigators he did not hear any crashes coming from inside the house, the outlet reported. He suggested the smear marks could have been a food stain.
However, the potential blood stain was reportedly included in a pretrial memo by attorney Linda Kenney Baden but was never looked into by Skakel’s attorney, Mickey Sherman.
The podcast also noted that Tirado died in 2012.
Additionally, the outlet reported that John Moxley was the fourth individual mentioned in the Sutton Report in the 1990s, with investigators noting that “a few unresolved points still demand clarification and examination.”
KENNEDY COUSIN MICHAEL SKAKEL SAYS COPS WITHHELD EVIDENCE IN 1975 MARTHA MOXLEY MURDER PROBE
The Moxley residence in the Bellehaven section of Greenwich, Conn., in 1975. (MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
Initially, Michael Skakel, Tommy Skakel and tutor Ken Littleton were profiled in the report regarding Moxley’s murder.
One of the points of note regarding John Moxley was reportedly his statement that he returned home around 11 p.m. on Oct. 30 and was awoken by his mother at 3:30 a.m. the next morning to help look for his missing sister.
In 2002, John Moxley testified that he only spent about 15 minutes searching for Martha Moxley, which contradicted his statements to police that he had spent 2½ hours outside and did not return home until 6 a.m., when he then fell asleep on the sofa in the TV room, the outlet reported.
Harvey later claimed John Moxley called him the morning of the teen’s disappearance to help search for her, and the pair searched a pile of brush near the house, a move the Sutton Report reportedly noted was strange. However, the report also pointed out that had the two boys checked the family’s yard, they likely would not have located Martha Moxley’s body.
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Martha Moxley at 13 with her father, David Moxley (Erik Freeland/Corbis via Getty Images)
John Moxley reportedly said he only became aware of his sister’s death after his football coach mentioned to him at practice that something happened at his house.
The Sutton team later determined John Moxley was not the murderer, with Robert F. Kennedy agreeing with investigators in his book, “Framed: Why Michael Skakel Spent Over a Decade in Prison for a Murder He Didn’t Commit.”
Additionally, the podcast reportedly pointed to the Skakel household’s handyman and gardener, Franz Wittine, as another guest at the home on “Mischief Night.”
Michael Skakel, who was 15 years old at the time of the murder, reportedly revealed Wittine, a regular resident at the house, was the only person who said there were no golf clubs found on the Skakel house lawn despite others saying there were. In a 1991 interview with investigators, Wittine reportedly said he had no memory of saying that.
Martha Moxley was found beaten and stabbed to death by a golf club in the yard of her family’s home on “Mischief Night.”
WATCH FRAMED: THE AMANDA KNOX STORY ON FOX NATION
One year after the murder, Wittine reportedly resigned from his position with the Skakel family and passed a polygraph test in 1991.
Wittine died in 1997.
The podcast pointed out various loose ends involving the investigation, including the lack of forensic evidence in the case, Connecticut Insider reported.
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Swabs taken from Martha Moxley’s groin area in an effort to rule out sexual assault were never introduced as evidence in the trial and were considered lost until a NBC News’ production team reached out to a Connecticut forensics team, which confirmed the evidence remained in state custody.
The samples were later sent for testing in 2018 and were reportedly determined to only contain Martha Moxley’s DNA.
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A photo from the trial evidence showing a close-up of the golf club head. (Pool Photo/Getty Images)
Additionally, Cissy Ix reportedly recalled a conversation with Rush Skakel Sr., in which he claimed that his son, Michael, allegedly confided in him that he may have killed Martha Moxley.
However, Michael Skakel was ultimately cleared by Dr. Stanley Lesse after being given sodium pentothal in an attempt to give him mental clarity regarding the situation. Michael Skakel said he felt unsure about things after attending the infamous Elan School.
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Additionally, a friend of the Skakels reportedly told investigators that both boys were with him at Sursum Corda Oct. 30, 1975. However, the account directly conflicted with reports that Tommy Skakel had not traveled with his family that evening.
The series wrapped up with Amanda Knox, an American woman falsely accused of her roommate’s 2007 murder in Italy, weighing in on the mentality of “guilty until proven innocent” in criminal cases, according to Connecticut Insider.
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Knox was initially convicted of murder in 2009 and saw her conviction overturned by an Italian court in 2011.
Knox reportedly went on to describe how people have told her to “be a little less visible” after her conviction was overturned and described how the concept of “single victim fallacy” can harm individuals in situations where public perception suggests there is only one victim in a situation.
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Michael Skakel’s conviction was ultimately vacated by the Connecticut Supreme Court May 4, 2018, with prosecutors later deciding to not seek a second trial for Skakel on the murder charge.
With Skakel being absolved of all charges, the mystery surrounding the decades-old murder of Martha Moxley continues to plague her family and community, with no true promise that the case will ever be solved.
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New Hampshire
Lowell High freshman fatally shot in Salem, NH
SALEM, N.H. — A Lowell High School freshman was identified on Friday as the victim of a fatal shooting in Salem, where authorities say the 15‑year‑old was found dead outside a home during the pre-dawn hours.
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella’s office said in a press release that police responding to a 911 call discovered the teen, identified as Wichai Saksene, just outside the residence on Orchard Terrace.
An autopsy later determined he died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, and his death has been ruled a homicide.
Authorities said the circumstances remain under active investigation but noted there is no known threat to the public, as all involved parties have been identified.
In a message that began “sad news for your awareness,” Lowell Public Schools Superintendent Liam Skinner told School Committee members that Saksene was a Lowell High freshman and former student of Stoklosa Middle School and Lincoln Elementary School.
He added that central office staff are assisting Lowell High with communications to staff and families and that Student Support Services has activated a critical incident team to be at the high school on Monday.
The Salem Police Department stated in a social media post that they are working with the New Hampshire State Police Major Crimes Unit and Formella’s office to investigate the shooting.
Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis, or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.
New Jersey
Vote: Who should be the New Jersey High School Softball Player of the Year for 2026?
The 2026 New Jersey high school softball season has come to an end. Now is the time to answer the question: Who should be the New Jersey Softball Player of the Year?
Here are High School on SI’s New Jersey Softball Players of the Year for 2026. Scroll down to read about the list and cast your vote below.
Voting ends Sunday, July 5th, at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Madison McDougall, St. John Vianney
McDougall was named Gatorade New Jersey Softball Player of the Year after leading St. John Vianney to a perfect season and the Non-Public A state championship. The senior and Monmouth commit went 29-0 with a 0.30 ERA and 312 strikeouts in the circle, along with a .626 batting average and 17 home runs at the plate.
Gabby Gonzalez, St. John Vianney
Gonzalez also helped the Lancers go undefeated in softball. The senior and FIU commit batted .500 with 51 hits, 43 RBIs, 12 home runs, 13 doubles, and 35 runs.
Brooke Douglas, Ocean City
Douglas led Douglas to the South Jersey Group 3 championship. The senior and Rhode Island commit batted .543 with 51 hits, 42 RBIs, 12 home runs, seven doubles, two triples, and 25 runs.
Mackenna Savage, Red Bank Catholic
Savage put up impressive numbers for Red Bank Catholic in 2026. The sophomore notched 15 wins in the circle with a 1.43 ERA and 286 strikeouts in 176.2 innings pitched.
Jordyn Ambrosius, West Deptford
Ambrosius stepped up for West Deptford this past season. The junior went 15-7 with a 1.75 ERA and 247 strikeouts in 143.2 innings pitched.
Audrey Amoruso, Indian Hills
Amoruso led Indian Hills to its second straight state sectional title. In the circle, the senior and Fordham commit went 20-5 with a 1.01 ERA, 248 strikeouts, and 32 walks in 159.2 innings pitched. At the plate, she batted .476 with 26 RBIs and four home runs.
Gemma DeJoseph, Delran
DeJoseph was very impressive for Delran in 2026. The sophomore led the state with 62 hits, while batting .620 with 48 RBIs, three home runs, 14 doubles, and 37 runs.
Jillian Cianfrocca, Mount St. Dominic
Cianfrocca led Mount St. Dominic to the Non-Public A state finals. The senior and Villanova commit hit .534 with 47 hits, 54 RBIs, 16 home runs, 15 doubles, and 54 runs.
Ava Kelshaw, Mount St. Dominic
Kelshaw also played a major role for a strong Lions team. The junior and Michigan commit notched an impressive 26 wins in the circle with a 0.63 ERA and 257 strikeouts. Additionally, she batted .388 with 33 RBIs.
Chloe Jacobson, Summit
Jacobson played a pivotal role on a strong Summit team in 2026. The sophomore hit .553 with 52 hits, 54 RBIs, 15 home runs, 10 doubles, and 39 runs.
Gylian Hixenbaugh, Donovan Catholic
Hixenbaugh was very solid for Donovan Catholic this past season. The junior and Dartmouth commit went 17-3 with a 1.86 ERA, 161 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 128 innings pitched.
Ella Redheffer, Clearview
Redheffer led Clearview to the South Jersey Group 3 finals. The sophomore stepped up by batting .583 with 56 hits, 40 RBIs, six home runs, 17 doubles, 48 runs, and 26 stolen bases.
About Our Athlete of the Week Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.
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Pennsylvania
Central Pennsylvania farmers feel the effects of April freeze ahead of Father’s Day
LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Cherries, strawberries, peaches — normally all easy to find at local farms this time of the year — but some orchards are still feeling the impact of a freeze that killed many of those fruits.
What’s normally a busy season is a quiet one for the Honey Bear Orchard after an April freeze took all their fruit crops for this year.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | ‘It just froze them’: Honey Bear Orchards loses $200K, fruit crops in April freeze
“We usually start Father’s Day with sweet cherries … and that day, it has just grown into a big day for us,” owner Nelson Heagy said. “Sometimes, the cars are lined up the whole way in the lane, 3 to 400 cars come in that day. Tomorrow it’s going to be quiet.”
The night of April 20, temperatures in Lebanon County dropped below 24 degrees — a devastating blow to farms whose fruit trees were unable to survive the cold temperatures.
In less than 24 hours, Honey Bear Orchards lost dozens of acres of fruit, including cherries, apricots, apples and peaches.
At the time, the orchard estimated it lost around $200,000, but Heagy says that’s not the worst part.
“It’s more the emotional, because financially, yes, we’re geared up for that and it’s meeting the people.”
After Gov. Josh Shapiro called on the USDA to help out Pennsylvania counties impacted by this freeze, the agency announced several counties were eligible for disaster assistance in the form of emergency loans.
READ MORE | Six PA counties included in disaster designation for farmers affected by April freeze
Adams, Chester, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster and York counties are included.
Absent from that list is Lebanon County, where Honey Bear Orchards is located.
We reached out to the USDA to ask why Lebanon County wasn’t included, but we haven’t heard back yet.
However, Heagy says it’s likely because there’s only two orchards in the county.
“A lot of people reached out and said, ‘What can we do?’” he said. “And it’s simply come back next year.”
They’re not the only farm that has to make do this season — Forge Hill Orchards in York County lost half of its crop in the April freeze.
Despite that, retail manager Abby Naylor says they’re lucky because they still have a little bit of everything.
“I think the best thing that people can do is just to buy local and help support the farmers that really lost a lot of their stuff.”
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