Female Trooper Vanished Boston 1991 — 4 Years Later They Find Her Skeleton in Pressed Vehicle | HO!!!!

BOSTON, MA — In March 1995, a routine morning at Sullivan’s Auto Salvage in River, Massachusetts, took a chilling turn when workers discovered human remains inside a crushed blue Buick. The bones, partially visible through twisted metal, would unravel a four-year-old mystery that had haunted the Massachusetts State Police and the Boston community: the disappearance of Trooper Sandra Lynn Donnelly.

This is the story of how a missing person case became a homicide investigation, how a community’s unanswered questions were finally resolved, and how the pursuit of justice exposed the dark intersection of obsession, deception, and tragedy.

The Discovery

It was Michael Patricia, a longtime employee at Sullivan’s Auto Salvage, who first noticed something strange about the flattened sedan being separated from a stack of compressed vehicles. A flash of white among the wreckage prompted him to halt the crane operator, Jimmy Kowalski. Together, they approached the vehicle and, through a gap in the metal, saw what appeared to be human bones and strips of fabric that resembled a uniform.

“Call the police right now,” Patricia ordered, and within half an hour, Boston detectives and Massachusetts State Police were on the scene.

Detective Robert Castellano led the investigation as crime scene technicians began photographing the vehicle. The car, a blue Buick Regal, had arrived at the salvage yard in late 1991 or early 1992, sat in the incoming lot for months, and was eventually crushed—its grim cargo undiscovered until now.

Through the gaps in the metal, Lieutenant Jennifer Walsh of the State Police identified a badge pinned to decomposed fabric. The number, still legible: 2847. A quick check of state police records confirmed the badge belonged to Trooper Sandra Lynn Donnelly, who had vanished in October 1991.

The Missing Trooper

Sandra Donnelly, 26, was a dedicated officer stationed out of the Framingham barracks. She lived alone in Watertown and was scheduled to work the overnight shift on October 15, 1991. She never reported for duty. Her personal vehicle was found in the parking lot of her apartment complex, but there was no sign of Sandra.

The initial investigation found no evidence of foul play in her apartment. Her uniform and service weapon—a Smith & Wesson 5906—were missing. She had no known enemies, no romantic entanglements, and no financial problems. The case quickly went cold, with no leads and no trace of the missing trooper.

The Breakthrough

The crushed Buick, now revealed as a crime scene, provided the first real clue in years. The vehicle’s license plate, Massachusetts registration 847 JMK, was traced to Richard Anthony Kesler, who had reported it stolen from the Boston General Hospital parking garage on October 16, 1991—just one day after Sandra disappeared.

Detective Castellano and Lieutenant Walsh began piecing together the timeline: Sandra vanished on October 15, Kesler’s car was stolen the next day, and the Buick ended up at a salvage yard, hiding Sandra’s remains for four years.

The Investigation Reopens

Kesler, a parts manager at a local dealership, seemed genuinely shocked when confronted by police. He had no known connection to Sandra Donnelly and had reported his car stolen while visiting his mother at Boston General. His alibi for the night of October 15, 1991, checked out, and there was no evidence he had ever met Sandra.

Attention turned to Boston General Hospital, where Sandra had previously investigated a hit-and-run accident in July 1991. Security logs and interviews revealed that several employees remembered Sandra, and some had shown an unusual interest in her. Hospital staff admitted that someone had obtained her personal information from police reports.

Crucially, phone records showed Sandra received a call from a pay phone at Boston General Hospital at 8:47 p.m. on the night she disappeared. Security logs placed Dr. Kenneth Hullbrook, an orthopedic surgeon, at the hospital that evening. Hullbrook had interacted with Sandra during the hit-and-run investigation and had developed an obsession with her, gathering information and contacting her under the guise of providing new details about the accident.

The Suspect Emerges

Dr. Hullbrook’s background was clean—no arrests, respected at Boston General, but recently divorced and living alone. Financial records showed suspicious cash withdrawals around the time of Sandra’s disappearance. Hospital security footage from October 15, 1991, placed Hullbrook in the parking garage minutes before the call to Sandra was made.

A search of Hullbrook’s residence and office yielded further evidence: a box of surgical instruments, newspaper clippings about Sandra’s disappearance, her business card with personal notes, and car keys matching the stolen Buick.

Confronted with mounting evidence, Hullbrook confessed. He admitted to calling Sandra on October 15, luring her to the hospital with a fabricated story about the hit-and-run case. When she rejected his advances, he became enraged, grabbed her, and during the struggle, Sandra struck her head on a concrete pillar and lost consciousness. Panicking, Hullbrook placed her in Kesler’s unlocked Buick, drove to a remote lot in River, and abandoned the car.

The Manhunt and Arrest

After confessing, Hullbrook managed a dramatic escape from police custody, using a hidden surgical blade to cut his handcuffs. He assaulted a homeowner in Brookline, stole a vehicle, and led police on a multi-state chase. Eventually, Hullbrook was cornered at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut, where he surrendered peacefully after hours of negotiation.

Justice and Closure

Hullbrook’s confession, combined with physical evidence and witness testimony, led to his conviction for first-degree murder. At trial, additional details emerged about his obsession with Sandra and inappropriate behavior toward other female hospital staff. The jury found Hullbrook guilty, and Judge Patricia Morrison sentenced him to life in prison without parole.

Sandra’s family, colleagues, and the Massachusetts State Police finally received answers after years of uncertainty. Her memory was honored with a memorial garden, a scholarship fund at Boston University, and an annual award for outstanding service by female troopers.

Legacy and Lessons Learned

The case had profound implications for law enforcement and hospital security. Massachusetts State Police updated procedures for officers responding to civilian calls. Boston General Hospital improved staff training on recognizing inappropriate behavior and reporting concerns. Sullivan’s Auto Salvage implemented new inspection protocols to prevent similar tragedies.

Detective Castellano and Lieutenant Walsh, whose persistence broke the case, received commendations for their work. The investigation became a training example for agencies across New England, demonstrating the importance of never giving up on cold cases.

Remembering Sandra Donnelly

Sandra Lynn Donnelly’s story is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who serve and protect. Her dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The case is officially closed, but her legacy lives on in the reforms, memorials, and lessons that continue to shape the community she served.