Murder, She Told

The Fiendish Murder of Rita Bouchard

02.14.2023 - By Kristen SeaveyPlay

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1947 - Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

17-year-old Rita Bouchard was paranoid of being hurt or killed by unknown men. In 1947, an unknown assailant was violently attacking women on the streets of Pawtucket, RI, and Rita, who worked the late shift at the factory, was afraid she could be next. 

Sadly, on February 1st, 1947, Rita’s fear came true. 

A man walking a trail in the woods discovered her body under a tree. She had been brutally stabbed to death over 30 times with a stiletto knife. Police had no idea who did this to her.

A month after her murder, police question a boy named Raymond Patenaude, the brother of Rita’s best friend. Again. He was already a potential suspect in their mind, but they didn’t have the evidence against him. Raymond told them of a strange dream he had, and came to the realization it wasn’t a dream at all, but a repressed memory… A memory of killing Rita.

76 years have passed since Rita’s murder, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be solved. 

If you or somebody you know has any information about the unsolved murder of Rita Bouchard, please call the Pawtucket Police Dept at 401-727-9100.

Detailed sources can be found on murdershetold.com

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