In a case that has remained unresolved for more than three decades, a man from New Hampshire is now facing charges for the alleged rape of a young mother in Peabody, Massachusetts, dating back 34 years.
Darrell Lavoie, a 59-year-old who works as a professional photographer, was brought before the court on Monday. He has been charged with aggravated rape, assault with a dangerous weapon, and breaking and entering. The judge set his bail at $100,000, as reported by WBTS.
According to prosecutors, the assault occurred on November 12, 1991. The victim was attacked in her own home after returning from work. She was blindfolded and raped by an assailant who held a knife to her throat.
Assistant District Attorney Jessica Strasnick noted, “For 34 years, the victim has lived in fear, haunted by the memory of her attacker whom she could not identify.”
Strasnick further revealed that during the attack, the perpetrator threatened the victim, saying, “If you follow my instructions, you won’t get hurt,” as reported by WCVB.
When the victim began to scream, the assailant reportedly ordered her to “shut up” and pressed a serrated knife against her neck, Strasnick added.
Prosecutors said that shortly after the attack, Lavoie’s then-girlfriend told detectives that she thought he may have been involved.
“She indicated she found a bag under her porch that contained a roll of duct tape, a hood with eye cutouts, a knife and a rag,” Strasnick said. “When she confronted Mr. Lavoie about it, he said it was for hunting.”
Lavoie refused to provide a DNA sample at the time, but he stayed on investigators’ radar. In 2006, they developed a profile based on sample from the rape kit, but Lavoie was not in a national database. Instead, a rape indictment was handed up for “John Doe.”
Then, this summer, investigators obtained warrants to collect samples from people identified during the investigation, including Lavoie. He matched.
In court on Monday, Lavoie’s attorney sought a $7,500 bail, citing his lack of a criminal record and service as a decorated combat veteran in Vietnam, while prosecutors asked for $250,000, WBTS said.
The judge opted for $100,000 and ordered him to remain in Massachuetts and have no contact with the victim or witnesses if he bonds out, WCVB said.
He is due back in court on January 9.
