Massachusetts

Investigators Return to Deadly Park Attack Scene in Cambridge

Paul Wilson, 60, was discovered by a passerby with "apparent head trauma" on Wednesday

State and local police returned to the scene Friday of a fatal assault in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where a 60-year-old man was found dead two days earlier.

Paul Wilson was discovered by a passerby with what officials called "apparent head trauma" on the New Street side of Danehy Park’s entrance, police said. The victim was rushed to a local hospital, where he died around 10:30 p.m.

"Preliminary investigation indicates that he died as a result of blunt force trauma to his head and robbery does not appear to have played a role," Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said.

Wilson’s death is being investigated as a homicide as officials continue to search for the attacker. Authorities are still investigating to determine if the assault was random or targeted.

On Friday, officials blocked off a section of the paved path where Wilson was discovered and scoured a nearby body of water.

"We are advising people to use caution in this area," Ryan warned.

Cambridge resident Valerie Hammond, who takes her dog to the fenced area near the scene of the crime, told NBC10 Boston the investigation brings back awful memories of when she was robbed in the park 30 years ago.

"I haven't gone out at night since," Hammond said. "Been really terrified. Horrible timing, you know. I was thinking I could really take the dogs for a walk at night and then I read that."

Wilson lived in an apartment near the park and would frequent the path on his way to and from work in addition to using it recreationally. Neighbors described the victim as a fantastic man.

Neighbor and friend Jean Nickson described Wilson as a 'doting son and brother.'

"He was inoffensive. He was a wonderful person," Nickson said. "There was no outward or inward manifestation of anything aggressive hostile, nothing. Nothing. He was a wonderful man."

Cambridge police are planning a community meeting to try to answer the public's questions sometime next week.

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