Murdered Boston, Mass., Man, Found Dead In Salem, NH, Case Turns 30; Cops Seek Tips

CONCORD, NH — Investigators in the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit are asking people with knowledge of a 30-year-old murder case, who may not have spoken out back then, out of fear of retribution,n to come forward now.

Hai Bo (Paul) Lei, 26, of Boston, Massachusetts, was found dead on Hampstead Road in Salem on March 30, 1995. Officials called his death “tragic and violent,” saying he was shot multiple times. Lei was bound, strangled, and had his throat cut, “an execution-style killing marked by both brutality and precision.” The evidence at the scene, “including ligatures and shell casings from a single firearm, suggested this was anything but random,” John Formella, the state’s attorney general, said Wednesday.

“Despite a comprehensive investigation conducted at the time of his death, those responsible for Paul’s murder have evaded justice for three decades,” he said.

The state’s Cold Case Unit, along with Salem police and New Hampshire State troopers, have been “employing modern forensic techniques” while working with Bay State agencies to advance the case. Formella said there were “credible indications” people withheld information about the Lei killing “out of fear of retaliation, fear of being associated with illegal gambling or gang activity, or fear of prosecution.” He called witnesses or others with information a “critical component” to solving the case, despite the advancements in technology.

“To those individuals: we are asking you to come forward now — anonymously, if necessary,” Formella said. “We believe there are still people out there who know what happened to Paul, or who heard something in the aftermath that could help. If you were part of Paul’s world, knew him casually, or simply heard something, no matter how minor it seemed, your voice matters. The passage of time does not erase the need for justice. Even the smallest detail could be the key to finally solving this case.”

Anyone with information about the murder of Lei was asked to contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit tip line at 800-525-5555 or via email at coldcaseunit@dos.nh.gov.

“Help us bring the truth to light,” Formella said. “Help us deliver justice for Paul’s family after three long decades.”

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