Carmen Rudy was found on the grounds of Hillside School in Marlboro on Sept. 29, 2003
October 7, 2003
Carmen Rudy, 28
WORCESTER A memorial service will be held for Carmen Rudy, whose remains were found by Marlboro police last Monday, at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 43 Belmont St., on Thursday, Oct. 9th, at 10 a.m.
Carmen was born in Worcester and lived here all of her life. She was a mother of two, Harry Caldron 12, and Natalia Caldron 11.
She also leaves her mother, Evelyn Rudy, 5 sisters, Vickie Borey, Jane Rudy, Jamie Ball, Jackie Rudy and Theresa Rudy and 3 brothers, Dan Rudy, Jonas Rudy and Johnny Rudy. She had lost her brother Wayne Rudy in 1984. She had many nieces and nephews and other close family members and friends. She will be sadly missed by all.
October 2, 2003
OFFICIALS ID SET OF HUMAN REMAINS;
Peter Schworm Boston globe
Michael Rosenwald of the Globe staff and Globe correspondent Jared Stearns contributed to this report.
MARLBOROUGH - One of the sets of human bones found on the campus of a Marlborough private school was identified yesterday as a Worcester mother of two who was reported missing nearly a year ago.
Carmen Rudy, who would have been 29, was last seen in Worcester on Sept. 30, 2002. Jackie Rudy, who reported her sister missing four days later, contacted authorities after hearing about the discovery of skeletal remains at Hillside School.
On Tuesday, she provided dental records the medical examiner used to help to identify her sister.
Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley, speaking yesterday at a news conference at Marlborough police headquarters, said Carmen Rudy had a "minor" police record of misdemeanors.
"She was known to Worcester police," said Coakley, who would not comment on the nature of the crimes.
A Worcester newspaper has reported district court records listing larceny, property destruction, and assault and battery charges against Rudy, but the disposition of some cases could not be determined last night.
Jane Rudy, 45, of Natick, last night described Carmen as a loving, caring, loyal sister who had made a few missteps in life.
"She had a few problems, like we all do," she said. "But she wasn't a bad person. She had a heart of gold."
Rudy also declined to comment on her sister's police record.
Coakley said authorities have not determined a cause of death, but added, "we are certainly proceeding on the theory that there is some form of foul play."
Last night, Jackie Rudy described her sister as good-hearted - the kind of person who once nursed a pigeon with broken wings back to health.
Jackie Rudy said that while "nothing can cushion this blow," she drew some comfort from learning what she long suspected, that her sister was dead.
"For a whole year, we've been holding on to hope, but I always knew in my heart she was gone," she said. "She wouldn't just leave without telling us."
The sisters said Carmen Rudy was single and had two children, an 11-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, both of whom are in the state foster care program.
The boy lived with Carmen Rudy's mother, the daughter with another, older sister.
Rudy's bones were found in the woods behind the private boys' school on Monday - a day short of a year since the last time she was seen.
Bones from another woman were found last week by students who were clearing brush for trails. Authorities said yesterday that they have yet to identify the other woman, whom they described as white, about 5 feet tall, and between the ages of 20 and 35.
They said the woman, who had been dead between three months and three years, had with her jewelry including an engraved "#1 Mom" bracelet.
Coakley yesterday urged anyone who might know the identity of the woman to come forward, saying that police had little to go on.
She added that the woman's teeth were "distinctive," which would make it easier to confirm an identity.
Police dogs continued to search the woods, but had not found any additional remains as of yesterday afternoon.
According to Worcester Central District Court records published in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Carmen Rudy was charged twice with larceny under $250. One of charges was dismissed upon payment of $150 restitution; the disposition of the other one could not be determined last night.
Rudy was also charged with malicious destruction of property over $250 and assault and battery, according to the court records published by the newspaper. The disposition of that case also could not be learned last night.
Rudy's sisters said police did little to find Carmen when she was reported missing a year ago, and called on authorities to find out who killed her.
Coakley declined to say whether Rudy's family provided any details into how she may have died.
Carmen Rudy, who grew up in Worcester, was last known to be living with friends in the town, her sisters said.
They did not know of any reasons why she would be in Marlborough, and said they didn't think she knew anyone there.
"We know she's gone, but we don't know what happened," Jane Rudy said. "There is no way she'd be out there in those woods, for any reason. I want to know what happened."
October 2, 2003
Bones ID'd as mother of two ; Woman lived in Worcester;
Scott Croteau Telegram and Gazette
MARLBORO -- The bones discovered Monday near a private boys school have been identified as those of a Worcester mother of two who was last seen in September 2002, authorities said yesterday.
A forensic dental specialist matched the dental records of Carmen Rudy, who was 28 when she disappeared, with the remains found near the Hillside School, Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley said at a news conference at the Marlboro police station yesterday.
Jackie Rudy, one of the victim's sisters, called state and local police yesterday and said the remains might be those of her sister, who was last seen around Sept. 30, 2002. Jackie Rudy reported her sister missing to Worcester police on Oct. 3, 2002, Ms. Coakley said.
Jackie Rudy called police after seeing news reports that said one of the women was 30 to 45 years old and 5 feet to 5 feet 4 inches tall, officials said. Carmen Rudy was 4 feet 11 inches tall, authorities said.
The family was told yesterday that the remains matched Ms. Rudy's dental records, which the family had given to police.
Police want people who knew Ms. Rudy to call them.
Police are still trying to determine the identity of the woman whose bones were initially found in the woods near Interstate 290. The remains of what police are calling Jane Doe No. 1 were found by Hillside School students Sept. 24 while they were clearing paths on the school's 150-acre property.
Officials have not determined whether either woman was a victim of a homicide, but are treating both deaths as suspicious. The two sets of remains, including skulls, were found 100 yards apart.
Some of Jane Doe No. 1's remains were in a 2-foot-deep grave. Ms. Rudy's remains were not buried, officials believe.
"It is certainly highly suspicious and we are certainly proceeding on the theory that there was some sort of foul play," Ms. Coakley said.
Speaking about the Rudy family, Ms. Coakley said, "The news obviously puts a date and some finality to it, but it is not necessarily welcome finality."
If the deaths were accidental, it seems as if someone covered it up, Ms. Coakley said.
Last night, Jackie Rudy described her sister as a good-hearted person who once nursed a pigeon with broken wings back to health.
She said that while "nothing can cushion this blow," she drew some comfort from learning what she long suspected, that her sister was dead.
"For a whole year, we've been holding on to hope, but I always knew in my heart she was gone," she said. "She wouldn't just leave without telling us."
Another sister, Jane Rudy, 45, of Natick, last night described Carmen as a loving, caring, loyal sister who had made a few missteps in life.
"She had a few problems, like we all do," she said. "But she wasn't a bad person. She had a heart of gold."
The sisters said Carmen Rudy, who never married, had two children, an 11-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, both of whom are in the state foster care program.
Carmen Rudy lived with friends in Worcester and authorities believe she was unemployed at the time of her disappearance. Officials said Ms. Rudy did have a minor criminal record and was known by Worcester police.
Ms. Coakley would not reveal Ms. Rudy's criminal record or past addresses. Worcester Courthouse records show Ms. Rudy was ordered to pay $150 in restitution on Aug. 5, 2002, after being charged with larceny under $250. She lived at 137 Eastern Ave., Worcester, at the time.
On Feb. 5, 2001, Ms. Rudy was charged in Worcester District Court with malicious destruction of property over $250 and assault and battery. Court records listed her address at the time as 140 Eastern Ave.
Officials do not know how either body ended up in Marlboro and said getting to the wooded areas from I-290 would be difficult. The area is in wetlands and some parts are covered with brush. An old cart path on the school's property leads close to both sites, officials said.
Police do not know whether Jane Doe No. 1 was a friend of Ms. Rudy and are hoping people will call if the description of Jane Doe No. 1 matches anyone they think is missing.
Jane Doe No. 1 is described as white, 20 to 35 years old and 4 feet 11 inches to 5 feet 1 inch tall. Among her remains were a Guess red and black long-sleeved shirt, blue plaid B-Time brand pajama pants, a teal blue zip-front shirt with blue and white stripes, and a gold bracelet decorated with the words "#1 Mom."
The Guess shirt was made in 2000, so officials presume that she died no earlier than that. Her death may have been as little as three months ago.
"We have a very good set of Jane Doe No. 1's teeth. It is very distinctive and that's why when we first announced this, we were hopeful that with a set to match it against we could and would make a match," Ms. Coakley said. "We are still confident of that."
Investigators are continuing to search the woods. Officials say they have no information that leads them to think remains of other people will be discovered. Cadaver dogs searched the area yesterday.
Police have received calls about missing people and leads are being investigated, Police Chief Mark F. Leonard said.
Officials sent out a description of the remains via computer to all local law enforcement agencies and will widen the search, if necessary, to states outside of New England, officials said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Marlboro Police Department at (508) 485-1212 or the state police assigned to Ms. Coakley's office at (617) 679-6600.
The Boston Globe contributed to this report.
Scott J. Croteau of the Telegram & Gazette staff may be reached at (508) 793-9391 or scroteau@telegram.com.