The unresolved 1992 homicide of a young Saugus woman continues to weigh heavily on her surviving family and the law enforcement community, as relatives, advocates, and detectives gathered to mark thirty-four years since her violent death. The emotional assembly served as both a heartfelt tribute to her memory and a direct public appeal for fresh details in a cold case that has spanned more than three decades without an arrest.
Susan "Su" Taraskiewicz, who was only 27 years old at the time of her death, was honored during a weekend vigil held at Constitution Beach in East Boston. The waterfront gathering location carried deep symbolic meaning for those in attendance, situated directly across the water from Logan International Airport, where Taraskiewicz had spent her final hours at work before vanishing in September 1992.
A crowd of approximately 100 people assembled along the shore, bringing together family members, longtime companions, and active criminal investigators who remain committed to solving the case. The gathering observed a designated thirty-four seconds of complete silence, with each second representing one year of unanswered questions and ongoing grief since her untimely loss.
The harrowing series of events began in mid-September 1992 when Taraskiewicz was working her regular shift as a ramp crew chief at Logan Airport. During her shift, she stepped away from the facility with the intention of picking up sandwiches for her coworkers at a nearby establishment, but she never returned to her job site.
The following morning, on September 14, 1992, authorities discovered her vehicle abandoned outside an auto body repair shop in the neighboring city of Revere. Upon inspecting the automobile, police found Taraskiewicz deceased inside the trunk, having sustained severe beatings and fatal stab wounds.
For her mother, Marlene Taraskiewicz, the decades that have followed have not eased the deep pain caused by the unsolved tragedy. Speaking candidly about the persistent emotional burden, she explained that while she manages to cope during the rest of the year, the arrival of her daughter's anniversary week consistently resurfaces intense grief and hardship.
The anniversary event also served as a moment for those closest to Susan to deliver a direct message to anyone who might be concealing crucial facts about the murder. Dianne Braley, a family friend currently writing a book that documents Taraskiewicz's life and the lengthy search for answers, addressed those who have withheld the truth.
Braley issued a stern reminder that time is running out for anyone shielding the responsible parties, delivering a pointed warning of "tick-tock" to those who have remained silent. She stressed that while thirty-four years is an extraordinarily long time for a family to endure without closure, justice delayed does not mean justice will be denied.
The forthcoming book project spearheaded by Braley represents part of a broader, sustained effort by loved ones to ensure that the public does not forget Taraskiewicz's life or the circumstances surrounding her murder. By keeping the case visible in the media and the community, her advocates hope to spur someone with critical knowledge to finally step forward.
Over the past thirty-four years, law enforcement authorities have pursued a wide variety of investigative leads and closely evaluated several potential suspects. However, despite extensive multi-agency efforts spanning decades, formal charges have never been filed against any individual in connection with the homicide.
The case remains classified as an open and active investigation by regional law enforcement. Investigators maintain hope that evolving investigative strategies, combined with changing personal relationships and shifts in loyalties over the passage of time, will eventually produce the evidence required to hold the perpetrator accountable.
To encourage anyone with critical information to come forward, substantial financial incentives remain in place. Delta Air Lines continues to offer a reward of $250,000 for any credible tips that directly lead authorities to the arrest and successful conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder.
Authorities reiterate that even seemingly minor pieces of information or long-held observations could provide the vital breakthrough investigators need. Anyone with relevant details is strongly encouraged to contact the Massachusetts State Police at 617-727-8817 or reach out directly to the Suffolk District Attorney's Office.
As the gathering at Constitution Beach drew to a close within sight of the airport runways, loved ones reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to finding the truth. With investigators standing alongside the family, the determination to secure justice for Susan Taraskiewicz remains as steadfast today as it was in September 1992.
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