Remains Found Near Taylor Swift’s Rhode Island Mansion Identified as Missing Massachusetts Man; No Foul Play Suspected
- Victor Nwoko
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
The human remains discovered last month near Taylor Swift’s seaside estate in the upscale Rhode Island community of Watch Hill have been identified, as authorities formally close the investigation into the case.
Police confirmed that the remains belonged to 31-year-old Eric Wein of Massachusetts, who had been reported missing on April 18. The body was found washed ashore on May 14 in the exclusive coastal village of Watch Hill, part of Westerly, Rhode Island — just down the beach from the pop star’s expansive mansion.
According to investigators, Wein’s vehicle had been located in South Kingstown on April 10, over a week before he was officially reported missing. After forensic analysis, the South Kingstown Police Department positively identified the remains, and officials determined that no foul play was involved. The investigation is now considered closed.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Wein’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the department stated.
The discovery came amid heightened public concern fueled by a string of recent body recoveries across the New England region. Just three weeks before Wein’s remains were found, another unidentified male body was recovered from the Seekonk River in Pawtucket, Rhode Island — roughly 48 miles from Westerly.
Despite speculation on social media linking the string of deaths to a potential serial killer operating in the region, law enforcement officials have repeatedly denied any such connection. Westerly Police Chief Paul Gingerella emphasized in May that there was “no connection between human remains found and online fears of a serial killer in New England.”
“As far as I’m concerned, as far as right now, this has nothing to do with any serial killer [or] any New England murderer,” Gingerella said, pushing back on viral rumors that had circulated in response to a surge of body discoveries in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts since March.
In total, 13 bodies were found across the three states in recent months: five in Massachusetts, five in Connecticut, and three in Rhode Island. The victims were adults ranging in age from 25 to 44 and included both male and female individuals.
One of the victims, Michele Romano, whose remains were found in Foster, Rhode Island, in March — just 49 miles from Westerly — became a focal point of the serial killer speculation. However, her family strongly rejected the rumors, stating: “We know that Michele’s passing is in no way related to any type of serial killer.”
“We have complete faith in the Rhode Island State Police and our Private Investigator that the person responsible will be brought to justice,” Romano’s family said, urging the public to refrain from spreading false claims online.
Chief Gingerella attributed the serial killer theories to “the power of social media,” though he acknowledged that platforms can be both a source of misinformation and a useful tool in police work. “Social media has more benefits than negatives,” he said.
Comments