Human remains discovered near a highway in Massachusetts have been confirmed to belong to Sandra Crispo, a 54-year-old grandmother from Hanson who went missing in August 2019. The identification comes after an extensive investigation and has brought both closure and questions for her family.
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Authorities made the announcement on May 5, with Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz and Hanson Police Chief Michael Casey leading the communication efforts to the media and the public. Crispo was last seen on 7 August 2019; her family reported her missing two days later when they were unable to contact her and found her home in disarray, with lights still on and the back door left unlocked.
Crispo had recently moved from Quincy to Hanson to be closer to her daughter, Laina McMahon, and her grandchildren. McMahon recalled in a 2020 interview that her mother was supposed to care for her grandchildren again two days after she vanished. Upon discovering her mother’s absence, she was immediately alarmed by the circumstances.
“We found her lights were on, her backdoor was unlocked,” said McMahon. “There was no sign of her. She didn’t have a cell phone, she didn’t have a computer, but it’s definitely not like her to, you know, leave.” The family’s concerns escalated into a missing person report, which prompted a focused search by local law enforcement agencies.
The investigation that followed included interviews, forensic testing, and various searches aimed at uncovering Crispo’s whereabouts. It wasn’t until 6 March 2025 that a breakthrough occurred when a hunter discovered what appeared to be human remains in a deer trail near the breakdown lane of Route 3 North in Plymouth.
Responding officers from the Massachusetts State Police found portions of a human skull at the scene. This evidence was subsequently handed over to the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for further analysis. The investigation then involved the FBI, which conducted DNA testing on the remains. A match was found in one of the FBI’s forensic DNA databases linking the skull to Sandra Crispo.
In an interview with Boston.com, a visibly emotional McMahon expressed a complex range of feelings upon hearing of her mother’s identification. “I am hopeful for positive movement post-discovery and hopefully getting answers for my mum because that is what this has been about the entire time,” she stated. “Now we can actually pursue those responsible and criminally.”
Authorities have confirmed that the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Crispo’s death is still ongoing. They have urged anyone with pertinent information to come forward. Members of the public can make reports to Hanson Police at 781-293-4625 or the Massachusetts State Police associated with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office at 508-894-2600.
As the investigation continues, Crispo’s family hopes for justice and clarity in a case that has left them with more questions than answers since her initial disappearance. The tragic circumstances surrounding her vanishing act have weighed heavily on her loved ones, who are now seeking resolution following the recent developments.
The unfolding investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of community involvement in helping solve missing person cases, with local authorities remaining committed to uncovering the truth behind Sandra Crispo’s death. The Crispo case echoes the sentiments of numerous families enduring similar heartaches, underscoring the ongoing struggles faced in seeking closure for missing persons.