A law enforcement forensic artist has created four versions of an aged-up suspect wanted for questioning in the 1982 Burdick case. The suspect is estimated to be about 70 years old now.
The artist aged up the suspect's face with variations of facial hair. He would be about 70 now.
The artist was working off a sketch of a man who attempted to grab a woman in Williamstown less than an hour before Burdick went missing.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Law enforcement has renewed its search for a suspect in the 1982 disappearance of Lynn Burdick from the town of Florida.
The Berkshire District Attorney's Office and the State Police Berkshire Detective Unit are releasing a new forensic sketch and four age-progressed variations of a suspect.
State Police began investigating the disappearance of then 18-year-old Burdick on April 17, 1982, when she went missing at some point between 8 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. while working alone at the Barefoot Peddler's Country Store on Route 2 in Florida.
The DA's Office and State Police continue to actively investigate the case with a focus on a separate attempted abduction that occurred 45 minutes earlier, 13 miles away in Williamstown. The sketches released today are of the suspect in the Williamstown abduction attempt.
The office collaborated with a law enforcement forensic artist with the Lincoln Police Department to generate updated images based on recent case interviews.
Evidence indicates that the suspect is a white male, 5-foot-7 inches tall and is now approximately 70 years old. Further case data suggests that he may have ties to the state of Vermont. Investigators are releasing a new sketch of how the suspect appeared in 1982 and four aged-progressed sketches of how he may appear today, with assorted grooming alterations.
“I thank the witnesses and the entire Burdick family for their strength and dedication while continuing to work with investigators assigned to Lynn's case. My office, the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit, and the Massachusetts State Police Unresolved Case Unit remain steadfast in following up on every lead and bringing advanced resources to unresolved homicides," District Attorney Andrea Harrington said.
"I also thank the Lincoln Police Department for providing us the specialized forensic sketching resources to further assist in this investigation. I ask the public to share these images and if anyone has information about this case to contact the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit or the Massachusetts State Police Unresolved Case Unit."
Investigators ask that anyone with information to contact the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit at 413-499-1112 or email the Massachusetts State Police Unresolved Case Unit at mspunresolved@pol.state.ma.us.
Burdick's fate is one of several unsolved mysteries in the Berkshires. Two other women about the same age, Cynthia Krizack and Kim Benoit, had also been abducted and found strangled in the northern part of the county within the previous six years.
Eight years earlier, the body of Kim Benoit of North Adams was found off a lonely stretch of road in Hoosac Tunnel in the town of Florida after going missing two weeks earler. The DA's Office has offered a reward in that case after renewing the search for Benoit's killer last fall.
Burdick is about 5-foot-5 and had dark brown and glasses. Her family posted billboards around the region earlier this year in hopes of jogging memories. The McCann High senior would be 58 years old. The small store that she worked at was torn down years ago.
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Brown Street Bridge Reopens in North Adams
By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
Mayor Jennifer Macksey is the first to drive across the bridge, closed since early 2023.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayor Jennifer Macksey led a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Dec. 15, marking the official reopening of the Brown Street Bridge.
"We are very excited despite the cold weather," Macksey said before the ribbon-cutting. "… We are chipping away at these projects, but this is long overdue."
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The 26-foot steel structure, built in 1952, was flagged after its superstructure rating fell to 3.
The reopening follows a temporary repair project designed to safely restore access while the city and state determine a long-term plan. The temporary repair contract was awarded to J.H. Maxymillian at a cost of $349,920.
Funding for the project included $75,000 from state Chapter 90 road funds, with the balance was covered by state flood money the city had been previously awarded following a severe storm in July several years ago.
The mayor emphasized the critical need to reopen the span, particularly for public safety.
"The perception behind that was we have flooding on West Main Street and River Street, we have to use this bridge," she said. "We are very excited to have it open. Not only to alleviate traffic problems down at the intersection of Big Y and the intersection of City Hall, but to help our friends at emergency management with the ambulance."
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation. click for more
The Water Department has been responding to multiple water line breaks throughout the city since Friday, causing temporary loss of water in some areas. click for more
Nearly a year of study and community input about the deteriorating Veterans Memorial Bridge has resulted in one recommendation: Take it down. click for more
The new thrift and consignment shop on Marshall Street is a little bit "Punky" with an eclectic mix of shiny, vintage and eccentric curated items. click for more