A man from Oregon pleaded guilty Wednesday to a 1979 murder in Back Bay, a crime he confessed to in 2023, authorities said. 

John Irmer, 71, was charged with first-degree murder of 24-year-old Susan Rose, whose body was found in an apartment at 285 Beacon St. on Oct. 30, 1979, according to a statement from Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden. 

In August 2023, Irmer confessed to the murder at an FBI field office in Portland, Oregon. He initially spoke with federal authorities twice, each time admitting to the crime, before Boston Police Homicide Unit detectives traveled to Oregon to interview him, according to a 2023 statement of facts filed with the court.

Irmer told detectives that his decision to confess stemmed from becoming sober and “finding Jesus” after serving a lengthy prison sentence for a separate murder conviction in California, the statement of facts noted. 

Irmer described meeting the victim, identified as Rose, in Boston around Halloween 1979 while she was arguing with her boyfriend, court records indicate. 

After visiting Rose’s basement apartment and walking around Back Bay, Irmer and Rose stopped at a house under construction. As Rose walked up a set of stairs inside the house, Irmer struck her in the head with a hammer “so hard that he believes that he killed her instantly,” according to court documents. 

Irmer also confessed to sexually assaulting Rose after killing her, authorities said. 

After the murder, Irmer admitted to stealing Rose’s wallet, taking the cash, and discarding the remainder of the wallet into the Charles River before traveling by bus to New York. 

Irmer additionally confessed to committing another murder in a southern state, which authorities from that state are investigating. He also admitted to shooting someone in a different southern state, though he was uncertain if that victim died, according to court documents. 

“Irmer repeatedly stated that he wanted to do what was right and cited his finding Jesus and feeling bad about what he had done for his reason for confessing and wanting to plead guilty immediately,” the statement of facts noted. 

First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office. 

A different man was initially arrested for Rose’s murder but was ultimately found not guilty, according to Hayden. In 2005, a DNA profile was developed from sperm cells located on a broom that had been found inserted inside Rose’s body, and the person previously arrested was excluded as the source of the sperm found on the broomstick. 

Rose’s older sister presented a victim impact statement during Wednesday’s hearing, Hayden said. She held a photo of Rose from first grade, saying she wished to remember her that way.  

Rose was described by her sister as adventurous, intelligent, and motivated, with dreams of becoming a lawyer. 

“All of this was taken from her … Susie never got to finish school, get married, or have her own children,” she said. “She never got to see all the places she wanted to visit, meet new friends, or have new adventures. Her life was cut short at the age of 24.” 

Rose’s sister explained how the murder profoundly impacted her family. 

“My parents were never the same after Susie’s murder,” she said. “Though they lived long lives, they were never truly happy or at peace.” 

Mourning the loss of her only sibling, Rose’s sister shared her personal grief, saddened by the fact that her daughter would never have the chance to meet her aunt. 

“I am relieved that there is some closure to this nightmare,” she said. “I truly hope that John Irmer understands what he did because I will never forget.” 

Following the hearing, Hayden commended the investigators on the case. He also addressed Rose’s family, saying “The answers for Susan Rose’s sister and friends finally came today, though after a very long and sad period of time. I hope other families affected by John Irmer’s murderous behavior find similar answers.” 

BANDON, Ore. – It was the kind of beautiful shot golfers dream about. Pure contact, the ball soaring against a blue sky and sliding just a touch a right before touching down on the green near the flagstick on the closing stretch at iconic Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. And it was all propelled by a late bathroom break and a quick walk back into the fairway that left little time to overthink a pressure-packed situation.

This particular shot, an 8-iron from 173 yards, had significant meaning. Jesse Droemer, a teaching professional at Riverbend Country Club near Houston, was tied for the lead through 16 holes in Wednesday’s final round of the PGA Professional Championship. His lead had been as many as three during the back nine, but he had been run down by Ben Kern. Droemer needed to make something happen.

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On No. 17 of the resort’s Bandon Dunes course, Droemer faced a challenging shot into the green with the flag tucked on the left behind a knob as strong winds blew off the left. He nailed that 8-iron to within birdie range. He missed the putt and settled for a par, but that proved to be enough. Kern, playing in the final group behind Droemer, soon after landed his approach on the right side of the putting surface and watched the ball slide off the green into the rough. Kern’s ensuing bogey gave Droemer a one-shot lead, and after both players parred the 18th, the title was Droemer’s.

What were Droemer’s thoughts as he left the 17th tee on his way to what would prove to be the tournament-deciding shot? Probably not what you would think, as Droemer explained after receiving the trophy.

“Well, honestly, I had to use the restroom so bad, I had to run from the tee over to the Porta Potty that was like 200 yards away,” Droemer said with a smile. “[Caddie Carl Everts] got the number, and I said, ‘Give me a yardage,’ and he had it, and I just stepped up and hit the shot. No time to think, just react. I do think that was one of the shots of the tournament, for sure.”

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After nearly holing a 77-yard approach shot into the par-5 18th that set up the winning par, Droemer finished with a 2-under 70 in the final round, good for a 4-under total of 283. Kern, of South Bloomfield, Ohio, shot 71 in the final round to finish in second place at 3-under. Michael Kartrude of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, was third after a closing 70 and a 2-under total. It was the second straight day of strong breezes that at times surpassed 20 mph, causing havoc for club selection and making it tough to hole putts of any length.

“I was just embracing the challenge,” said Droemer, 34. “I knew it was gonna be windy. I knew the conditions were gonna be tough, and I was just really was trying to embrace the elements. And, you know, I’m glad it was windy. I’m glad it was playing hard.”

Droemer, Kern, Kartrude and 17 other players now have a new challenge: the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14-17. The top 20 from the PGA Professional Championship qualified for the major in Pennsylvania. It will be Droemer’s third appearance in the PGA Championship, having first qualified via the PGA Professional Championship in 2023 and again in 2025. He missed the cut in both those tries, but the victory at Bandon Dunes inspired fresh confidence.

Division Street’s Ducks of a Feather (DOAF) is back again with another epic Nike sneaker collaboration. This time, DOAF is teaming up with Flight Club, the original sneaker consignment store, to drop the limited edition DOAF x Nike GT Future “Metallic Nova.”

This is a bold new take that reimagines Oregon’s legendary aesthetic through a cutting-edge, forward-thinking lens. It draws inspiration from the unmistakable sheen of the mallard duck and the evolution of Oregon’s iconic uniform finishes. Below is a detailed look and breakdown of the fashion-forward hoop shoes.

Shopping Information

The DOAF x Nike GT Future “Metallic Nova” will be released exclusively at Flight Club New York on Saturday, May 9. No pricing was mentioned in the press release. However, each pair is individually numbered, with only 300 pairs produced worldwide.

Like all initiatives from Division Street’s Ducks of a Feather brand, proceeds generated from the DOAF x Nike GT Future “Metallic Nova” will benefit participating University of Oregon student-athletes.

“Metallic Nova” Colorway Details

The silhouette sports in a striking metallic green and gold with a mesmerizing shifting finish that captures the iridescence of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic waterfowl. The design showcases sophisticated technical details, including tinted rubber on the outsole and synthetic suede accents that provide tactile contrast.

Rooted in Oregon’s signature green and yellow palette, the colorway blends tradition with next-generation design. The result is a statement piece that honors the past while pushing boldly into the future — where nature, performance, and the evolution of sport converge.

Nike GT Future Tech Specs

Like every other colorway of the Nike GT Future, the tech specs include a full-length Air Zoom Strobel and a responsive forefoot Air Zoom, packed in Cushlon 3.0 foam.

Meanwhile, the molded upper blends lightweight foam with a dynamic synthetic skin. The aggressive rubber outsole provides the foundation of the performance basketball shoe. But these sneakers look so good, you have to wear them off the court.

Ducks of a Feather

At least once a season, DOAF puts its iconic Oregon Ducks-inspired spin on some of Nike’s most popular sneakers. So, it is only fitting that the brand applies a futuristic aesthetic to Nike’s most cutting-edge basketball shoe.

The execution was flawless. The colorway channels liquid-metal textures and iridescent surfaces that shift with light and movement, creating a dynamic expression of innovation and pride.

Stay locked into Sports Illustrated’s Kicks On SI for all your footwear news from the NCAA and beyond.

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