For decades, two shadows loomed over Brockton, Massachusetts – the unsolved murder of Cherie Bishop in 1991 and the brutal rape of Donna Bell two years later. Both cases remained agonizing mysteries, leaving families trapped in a perpetual state of grief and unanswered questions, their lives marked by a haunting absence of closure.
Cherie Bishop, just 28 years old, was discovered strangled in a secluded wooded area near her apartment in June of 1991. The scene was stark and unsettling: she was found wearing only socks and a single diamond earring, a chilling detail that underscored the violence of her final moments. The medical examiner determined she died from mechanical asphyxiation, a deliberate act of malice.
Donna Bell’s ordeal unfolded in 1993, a terrifying abduction from the street. She was forced into a vehicle and subjected to a horrific sexual assault, the attacker threatening to strangle her if she resisted. In a desperate act of survival, Bell fought back, managing to escape after grabbing a sharp object, a testament to her incredible courage.
Initial investigations yielded DNA evidence from both crimes, meticulously collected and analyzed. However, despite these efforts, a suspect remained elusive. The evidence was preserved, patiently awaiting the advancements in forensic science that could finally unlock the truth hidden within its strands.
The breakthrough arrived with the emergence of forensic genetic genealogy, a revolutionary technique that allowed investigators to trace distant familial connections through DNA. In 2016, a crucial link was established – investigators confirmed the Bishop and Bell cases were connected, but a name remained unknown.
Years later, the DNA profiles were uploaded to a national database, and a Texas-based forensic genealogy lab played a pivotal role. They identified a likely relative of the perpetrator, providing investigators with a crucial lead that ultimately pointed to Robert Carey.
Carey, who lived just over a mile from both crime scenes at the Brockton Veterans Administration Medical Center, was identified as the man responsible for both tragedies. However, justice arrived too late; Carey died of natural causes in June 2025 at the age of 64, never facing prosecution for his crimes.
Though Carey could not be brought to trial, the identification offers a measure of solace to the Bishop and Bell families. Donna Bell, sadly, passed away in 2021, never knowing her attacker’s identity. The decades-long search for answers, fueled by tireless dedication from law enforcement, has finally brought a degree of closure to these heartbreaking cases.
The resolution stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Massachusetts State Police, Brockton Police, and the dedicated forensic scientists and prosecutors who refused to let these crimes fade into the cold case files. Their relentless pursuit of justice, combined with the power of modern forensic science, has finally revealed a long-hidden truth.
