Goat Escapes Slaughterhouse, Man Stabs Two Killed by Police, Teen Arrested Following School Threats, Suicide Pact and More

TEWKSBURY, MA - It was certainly an interesting year in Tewksbury with both crime and weather stories certainly taking center stage and let’s not forget the goat who escaped a Tewksbury slaughterhouse and was on the run for weeks.

We started off the year with the Blizzard of 2015 which dumped nearly three feet of snow on the area, and in the fall saw Hurricane Joaquin which looked like it was going to come straight up the coast to New England, but thankfully moved out to sea.

Also last year the FBI sought the public’s assistance in 2015 to identify victims from Massachusetts in an international sexual exploitation case, a man who stabbed two individuals in the parking lot of the Salter School was killed by police, a Tewksbury teen was arrested following an investigation into threats of a suicide pact and a school shooting, and more.

Here is a look at the 10 most-viewed local stories on Tewksbury Patch this year (in no particular order):

Tewksbury Goat Escapes from Slaughterhouse, Continues to Elude Capture

A goat, missing from a Tewksbury farm, had residents and law enforcement officials alike trying to capture it for more than a month. From Tewksbury to Lowell to Chelmsford he was spotted before being captured in Westford. The goat named Braveheart, was transferred to Sunny Meadow Animal Sanctuary in Holden in late February. All the while, the parody Twitter account @TheLowellGoat kept tabs on the animal’s whereabouts.

Two People Stabbed, Suspect Killed by Police

In February, a man who stabbed two individuals in the parking lot of the Salter School was killed by police.

Tewksbury Police Arrest 15-Year-Old Following School Threats, Suicide Pact

In March, Tewksbury Police arrested a 15-year-old female following their investigation into threats of a suicide pact and a school shooting. That potential threat put Tewksbury High School on lockdown after students in two different communities were involved in an online suicide pact that included discussion of a possible school shooting.

Blizzard 2015 Storm Coverage: What You Need to Know About This Potentially Historic Snowstorm

The Blizzard of 2015 crippled the area, closed schools and businesses, and put a statewide travel ban in place, all while dumping nearly 3 feet of snow on the area

Hurricane Joaquin Upgraded to a Category 4

The Category 4 storm continued to grow in intensity and the East Coast was prepared for potential impact as it traveled up the coast. Thankfully, it missed Massachusetts.

FBI Releases Screen Names While Looking for Young Victims in International Sexual Exploitation Case

The Federal Bureau of Investigation sought the public’s assistance in 2015 to identify victims of convicted online predator Lucas Michael Chansler. More than 100 victims were identified, including four from Massachusetts.

Tewksbury Resident Arrested for Two Counts of Heroin Distribution

Tewksbury Police arrested three individuals on Sunday, Feb. 8 following a narcotics investigation conducted by Tewksbury detectives.

‘Credible Threat’ Warning Issued That Gangs Might Target Tewksbury Police and Others Across the Country

In April, Baltimore Police issued a national alert warning law enforcement agencies across the country, including Massachusetts about a credible threat that gang members may be organizing to “take out” police officers.

Roommate of Missing NH Woman Found Dead in Tewksbury

Another twist in a Manchester New Hampshire missing persons case of Sue Hutchinson, 57, who had been missing since Sept. 20, 2015. Her roommate, Stephen Andrade, who was reported missing previously and was believed to be the last person to see Hutchinson, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Oct. 6, 2015, at the Motel 6 in Tewksbury.

Three Arrested in Drug Distribution Investigation

In June, Three suspects were arrested following a Tewksbury Police Department drug distribution investigation