The man pictured above, Monte Swanson, is probably dead, and he more than likely died sometime between Kevin Lino’s escape from Missoula and his eventual arrest in Louisiana. For more context on the case I helped local authorities with in 2014, read this post, because I go into detail about the MULTIPLE opportunities local law enforcement had to catch this killer in Missoula before he fled, but they FAILED with all three opportunities. Because of that failure, Monte Swanson more than likely didn’t survive the road trip south.
I’m writing about this case because, in researching it for the book I’m writing, I discovered TWO new indictments Lino is now facing from two cold cases involving two murders. Here’s what I found:
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Lowell Police Commissioner Gregory Hudon, and Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow announced today that Kevin J. Lino, 38, a former resident of Lowell, has been indicted for two separate acts of First-Degree Murder: the killing of Gary A. Melanson, 54, who was beaten to death with an aluminum baseball bat under the Rogers Street Bridge in Lowell in 2010; and the killing of Douglas Leon Clarke, 30. Clarke was initially believed to have died of an accidental overdose by the Charles River in Cambridge in 2012, but he was actually allegedly given an intentionally fatal dose of heroin, sometimes referred to as a “hot shot,” by the defendant after a dispute.
Did I call the Middlesex DA’s office last week? Yes, I did, and I’m going to make sure they hear the name Monte Swanson and the reason local cops and Sheriff Deputies couldn’t respond in a timely manner to actionable information I, myself, and two other individuals, gave them to stop a psychopath before he killed again.
It’s been a little over a month since I’ve started writing and I’m more than 1/3 of the way through a first draft of my manuscript. It’s an incredible story, and I feel blessed to be the one telling it. This means posting will continue to be light, but don’t worry, I still have enough disdain for the leadership of this dysfunctional town to ensure a few posts continue to get posted every week, so stay tuned!
And, as always, thanks for reading.
