New England's Unsolved: Medallion may lead to murder victim's killer

(FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) – For the first time in years, police in Burlington have new leads to follow in a cold case that goes back four decades.

The mystery dates back to May 22, 1975. Two people were walking their dog along Route 128 when their dog found a human bone poking up through the soil. The small discovery led to a big discovery, the body of a man in a shallow grave.

Since 1975, police have been trying to identify him by a unique medallion that he was wearing.

In 1980, police received a tip that the medallion was created by a Boston jeweler for a motorcycle group out of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; however, police are trying to find the tipster.

Police have also turned to the Poughkeepsie Journal, hoping someone there might know more. The story actually resulted in new leads which police are now running down, but there is more to this case than a medallion.

Police say the man was buried on his back and that his hands were folded, possibly in an attempt to give the man a decent burial.

The man was reportedly shot in the back of the head, and the force of the gunshot destroyed the victim's face.

It is believe he was murdered somewhere else, and then buried in Burlington.

The victim was reportedly in his 20s and was approximately 6'0" tall.

When he was buried, he was wearing an army field jacket, blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and white canvas sneakers.

The victim was buried in the Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Burlington. He has no head stone marker.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Burlington Police Department at 781-272-1212.

Cox Media Group