The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight convened on June 24, 2025, to discuss two significant pieces of legislation aimed at addressing the issue of unsolved homicides in Massachusetts. The proposed bills, S. 2177 and S. 2174, seek to create an Office of Unsolved Homicides and establish a task force to systematically review unsolved cases.

Pace McConkie, Jr., policy manager of the Lewis D. Brown Peace Institute, introduced the panel of speakers advocating for these bills. He emphasized the urgent need for action, noting that approximately 51% of homicide cases in Massachusetts remain unsolved, totaling nearly 2,000 cases. This situation leaves tens of thousands of family members without closure or answers, with a disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities.

Alexandra Sherry Durellis, co-executive director of the Peace Institute and a sibling survivor of a homicide victim, highlighted the emotional toll on families affected by unsolved cases. She described the Peace Institute's role in providing support and advocacy for these families, stressing that the proposed legislation is a top priority for their organization this session.

Rachel Rodriguez, also co-executive director at the Peace Institute, outlined the specifics of the proposed legislation. The bills would create a formal review process for unsolved cases, allowing families to petition for their cases to be reassessed after three years. Additionally, a statewide anonymous tip line and public database of unsolved cases would be established to encourage community involvement in solving these crimes.

The committee members expressed their support for the initiatives, recognizing the importance of providing justice and clarity for families impacted by homicide. The testimonies underscored a collective call for institutional accountability and a collaborative approach to addressing the unsolved homicide crisis in Massachusetts. The committee is expected to deliberate on the bills and report back with their recommendations in the coming weeks.