SHIRLEY, Mass. (Gray News) – A 69-year-old man’s severed body parts were found in Massachusetts, according to authorities.
Shirley Police said around 5:30 p.m. on March 4, a group of high schoolers walking noticed what appeared to be a human leg in the water and notified the authorities, who then found additional body parts.
The remains were identified as Peter Degan.
“The preliminary investigation suggests that the remains of Mr. Degan were possibly severed by a sharp instrument and at this time foul play is suspected,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement.
Officials said that in 2019, Degan pleaded guilty to charges related to cocaine trafficking and distribution. After his release from prison, he was living in a pre-release center, which authorities said was his last known address.
He was last seen alive on Feb. 27, according to investigators.
“Currently investigators do not believe this was a random attack,” the district’s attorney office said.
Authorities have not recovered Degan’s full body and the search for additional body parts continues.
His cause of death has not yet been determined.
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