Rhode Island Police Chief Denies Serial Killer Link After Human Remains Discovered Near Taylor Swift's Mansion

Police in Westerly, Rhode Island, are refuting rampant online speculation connecting newly discovered human remains to a possible serial killer operating in New England. On Friday, Westerly Police Chief Paul Gingerella emphasized there is no evidence at this time linking Wednesday’s grim discovery to any broader pattern of homicides.

"As far as I'm concerned, as far as right now, this has nothing to do with any serial killer [or] any New England murderer," Chief Gingerella stated in an interview. The remains were uncovered in Watch Hill, a prominent and affluent coastal neighborhood just down the beach from the mansion owned by pop icon Taylor Swift. The Ocean House resort, a well-known luxury destination, is also located nearby, adding to the high-profile nature of the area.

Fears of a serial killer have been circulating widely on social media after 13 bodies surfaced across Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts since March. Online theorizing has been fueled by the relatively close succession and geographic distribution of the deaths. However, law enforcement officials continue to caution that these incidents are not believed to be linked.

Breakdown of the known cases:

• Five bodies found in Massachusetts
• Five in Connecticut
• Three in Rhode Island

Of the thirteen individuals:

• Six have been identified as females, three as males
• The sex of four victims remains undetermined
• Seven were over 45 years old; two were between 25 and 44

Chief Gingerella attributed the mounting fear to “the power of social media,” but maintained that, despite the spread of rumors, social platforms generally “have more benefits than negatives.” The Rhode Island Medical Examiner’s Office is currently working to establish the identity of the remains found in Watch Hill.

Just three weeks before the recent discovery, another unidentified male body was recovered from the Seekonk River in Pawtucket—located roughly 48 miles from Westerly. Earlier in March, the first Rhode Island case involved Michele Romano, whose remains were found in Foster, about 49 miles away. Romano’s family has publicly denied any connection between her death and the alleged serial killer rumors, urging the public to refrain from further speculation.

"In light of the recent comments being made, we know that Michele’s passing is in no way related to any type of serial killer," her family declared in a statement, expressing full confidence in both state police and their private investigator to find the individual responsible for her death.

The Rhode Island State Police and the FBI have so far not commented on any potential links between the cases. For now, local authorities continue to stress that there is no verified pattern connecting the recent discoveries, despite growing public fascination and anxiety.