Teens Discover Dismembered Body of Convicted Cocaine Trafficker in Shirley Pond

A group of teenagers in Shirley, Massachusetts, discovered dismembered human remains floating in a pond on March 4, which authorities have since identified as 69-year-old Peter Degan. Degan was a convicted cocaine trafficker who had been last seen on February 27 at a pre-release facility where he was mandated to reside. The teens initially mistook a human leg and foot for a mannequin part before alerting police, who subsequently recovered additional body parts from the water.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan indicated that the body parts were cleanly severed by a sharp instrument, suggesting foul play. Police are continuing their search for more remains and have not yet determined Degan's cause of death. Investigators believe the death is not random, pointing to Degan's criminal history.

In 2018, Degan was arrested following a months-long narcotics investigation that uncovered over $725,000 in cash, two kilograms of cocaine, and drug distribution paraphernalia in his home. He subsequently pleaded guilty to multiple counts of distributing and trafficking Class B cocaine, serving time before his transfer to the pre-release house. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the circumstances surrounding his violent death.