Family pushing for exhumation in 1982 unsolved murder

TYNGSBOROUGH, Mass. — It’s been 35 years since a Lowell woman was found murdered and her family is now pushing to have her body exhumed.

In 1982, 19-year-old Brenda Lacombe’s was only 19. She was last seen alive at a Lowell apartment, visiting her grandmother on Mother’s Day. At 12:30 a.m., she abruptly left after making a phone call.

Weeks later, a jogger found Brenda’s body in Harvard, Massachusetts.

Tyngsboro's Kings Memorial Cemetery has been her final resting place and her family believes the grave could hold the secrets to the unsolved murder.

“Our family would really like to push for exhumation. That's the way we feel we will definitely get answers,” said Lacy Kearns, Brenda’s niece.

Kearns wasn’t even born yet when her aunt was murdered, but she is still looking for justice.

“Forensics have come so far, we need to push for this. And finally get some answers,” she said.

Recently, the body of Bellingham murder victim Theresa Corley was exhumed in hopes of finding her killers DNA.

Kearns is hoping that if exhumation can help Corley's case, it could help Brenda's too.

“My aunt was a fighter. She had a great personality, but she would have fought. There would definitely be evidence in there,” said Kearns.

Kearns has created a GoFundMe page to raise money for the exhumation.

“One way or another, I’m going to make sure we get what we need. I need help moving some things. I can’t do everything alone,” she said.

Kearns is hoping to raise $7,000 to pay for the exhumation.

Cox Media Group