UPDATE: Human Remains Found In Wakefield Identified

Press release from the Town of Wakefield:

December 7, 2021

UPDATE December 13, 2021: Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Wakefield Chief of Police Steven Skory have confirmed that the human remains located in Wakefield on December 7, 2021 have been positively identified as Patrick Shea, 68 of Wakefield.

On December 7, a crew surveying wetlands in a wooded area behind Wakefield High School located apparent skeletal remains and notified local police. The Chief Office of the Medical Examiner subsequently was able to identify the remains as those of Mr. Shea who had been reported missing in May of 2020.

The preliminary investigation did not indicate foul play. A ruling on the cause and manner of death is still pending.___

Chief Steven A. Skory reports that the Wakefield Police Department is investigating the discovery of skeletal remains near the Wakefield Memorial High School property.

On Tuesday, Dec. 7 at about 11 a.m., a survey crew working in the area of the High School on Farm Street located possible human skeletal remains in a wooded wetlands area between the high school tennis courts and Rivers Lane.

There is no threat or danger to the school. There will be visible police activity in the area during school dismissal.

The investigation is being conducted by Detectives from the Wakefield Police Department, State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, and members of the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

This press release was produced by the Town of Wakefield. The views expressed here are the author’s own.