JUSTICE FOR THERESA CORLEY

Camelot was over and the Summer of Love had ended over a decade before. Viet Nam protest marches, the Kent State shooting, and the Nixon era were a memory. It was December, 1978, winter in America, a time of disillusionment and discontent. Darkness came early and every night seemed starless. But even in that time of financial and cultural depression, the humdrum of life bumped along. Those lucky enough to have a job worked, and if you had an income, even a paltry one, it was probably enough then to allow some discretionary income for having some fun.

In Franklin, the Train Stop, a popular watering hole, was as usual hosting its odd assortment of patrons. From college students to plumbers, orderlies from nearby Wrentham State School and townies, loud voices and laughter were fueled by the great social equalizer, alcohol. Many of the customers on Monday, December 4 were young, under twenty-one, attending a birthday celebration, their jubilant mood interrupted by an argument, some misunderstanding, and the abrupt exit of some of the party-goers.

Exactly what happened after that is not completely known. But one nineteen year old girl, someone’s baby, someone’s sister, never made it home. That girl was Theresa Corley, of Bellingham, one of nine children. She was working in a local factory, attending junior college, just beginning to become a woman, more independent and adventuresome, finding her own way. Her nude body was found in a ditch on the side of 495 a few days later and she had been strangled.

Thirty-seven years later, her sister, Gerri, still remembers her mother’s anguished screams when she learned that her missing daughter would never come home, a sound she says she will never forget. And she and the Corley siblings feel the hurt and despair that her mother did, not knowing who did this to their Terry. An investigation had taken place, to some degree, anyway, and a disjointed story emerged, that Theresa had been sexually assaulted at an apartment in Franklin, left there, was seen by other witnesses, was picked up and dropped off at the Bellingham Police Department not far from her home but was never seen alive again. No one was charged. Years went by and the case grew cold. Investigators have retired. Some potential suspects or witnesses have died.

This year, Theresa Corley would have been 56. For years, there have been whispered allegations and overheard conversations in Bellingham. And quite probably, those most directly involved or knowledgeable about the crimes that were committed that night are out there. Among us. 

Thirty-seven years. It’s a long time to wonder what happened, knowing that someone has gotten away with murder. It’s not too late to put this puzzle together. And that could mean taking a brave step forward. Rumors could lead to facts. And that could lead to conviction and JUSTICE FOR THERESA CORLEY. Can YOU help?

If you have any information at all, and every bit of information can help, please contact any of the following:

Bellingham Police Tip Line at 508.657.2863 or email detectives@bellinghamma,org

Franklin Police Tip Line at 508.440.2780 or email at tips@franklinpolice.com

The Norfolk District Attorney can also be contacted at 617.593.8840.

A Facebook page has also been created: Justice for Theresa Corley Bellingham 1978.