Investigators working on the Deanna Cremin murder case are being asked to report to the city in regards to the status of the investigation and where it currently stands.

By Jim Clark

An order was put forward at the last regular meeting of the Board of Alderman on April 9 requesting that the Chief of Police advise the Board on the Deanna Cremin murder investigation and appear at a meeting of the Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety to discuss details, where appropriate.

Additionally, the Board put forward a resolution requesting that the Middlesex County District Attorney, Marion Ryan, advise this Board, in writing, of the present status of the Deanna Cremin murder investigation and also arrange for a representative of the District Attorney’s Office to attend a future meeting of this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to update members, where appropriate, on the ongoing investigation.

Speaking in favor of the requests, Alderman at Large John M. Connolly told the Board, “Two weeks ago we discussed and heard from Deanna’s mother Kathy, and there was a memorial service conducted last week down at St. Anne’s. The memory and spirit of Deanna in 20 years has not subsided.”

Connolly said that he will try to convene a meeting of the Committee on Public Health and Safety so that the Chief of Police and District Attorney can report to that committee facts related to the progress made in the investigation.

“I think it’s the very least we can do as a community to support this ongoing effort to keep this case right on the front burner and not let it become a cold case,” Connolly said.

Alderman at Large Dennis M. Sullivan expressed concerns that the appearance of law enforcement officials might compromise the investigation, which prompted an amended version of the resolution to be adopted.

An objection to the initial language used in the order was voiced by Alderman at Large Dennis M. Sullivan who said, “The concern I have, working in a law enforcement agency, is we don’t want to handcuff our investigators and police department by having a public meeting. I know that Alderman Connolly mentioned only putting the things they can out there, but I’m concerned that it might compromise an ongoing investigation.”

Sullivan said the he totally supported the resolution’s premise, but was concerned that it was not keeping with protocol.

Alderman at Large and Board President William A. White Jr. made the suggestion that the term “where appropriate” be added to the order so that such risks to the integrity of the investigation would be minimized.

This solution was subsequently accepted and adopted into the order’s text, and the resolution passed.

Cremin, a student of Somerville High School, was strangled to death, presumably on the night of March 29, 1995. She had been expected to return home from visiting with friends by 10:00 p.m. that evening, but she never made it. Her body was discovered by two children she babysat for on the morning of March 30, behind a senior housing complex.

Anyone who may have relevant information in the case is urged to contact either the Somerville police directly or through Friends of Deanna Cremin by calling 617-544-7167 or email at friendsofdeannacremin@gmail.com.