South Boston Man, Tied To ‘Whitey’ Bulger, Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter Counts, Closing 1984 NH Cold Case

CONCORD, NH — A man from Massachusetts, with ties to the notorious gangster James “Whitey” Bulger, has admitted to two killings on Wednesday, as part of a plea deal that also closes a 41-year-old cold case in New Hampshire.

Michael Lewis, 65, of South Boston, MA, admitted to killing Brian Watson, 23 at the time, and dumping his body off Interstate 93 in Manchester, New Hampshire, near the city line with Londonderry. Watson’s body was discovered in September 1984 by a passerby, roughly 40 feet from the southbound side of the highway. He was initially reported missing in July 1984 and was identified via dental records.

Lewis also killed William Villani, his boss, in 1993, inside his office at the Boston Housing Authority.

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After Watson’s body was discovered, investigators in both states worked collaboratively to solve the Watson case. The investigation, which was described as “lengthy and complex,” linked Lewis to the killing. He and another man were both involved in the drug trade in Southie and fatally shot Watson. They then transported his body to New Hampshire and dumped it on the side of the highway.

“This resolution stands as a testament to the determination of investigators who refused to let time stand in the way of justice,” Attorney General John Formella said. “Nearly forty years after Brian Watson was killed, his family can finally have some measure of closure. We are deeply grateful to our partners in Massachusetts and New Hampshire who never stopped working toward this outcome.”

Officials said investigators had made progress in solving Watson’s murder, but renewed efforts by police in both states led to Lewis’ indictment in 2022.

Lewis agreed to two 15-year sentences, served concurrently, which means he could be released when he is close to 80.

According to WCVB-TV, the death of a New Hampshire investigator earlier this year, who was key to the first-degree murder indictments, led to a plea agreement and lesser charges.

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