Special Report: The Death Of An Altar Boy

Carl Croteau, Victim's Father
"We are frustrated with the system and rightly so."

Carl Crotreau and his wife Bunny of Springfield have been trying to bring their son Danny's murderer to justice for over 32 years.

Carl Croteau, Victim's Father
"We've sat back driving ourselves crazy and nothing is done."

Their 13-year-old son was an altar boy at St Catherine’s in Springfield a place where his family believes he first met his killer.

Bunny Croteau, Victim’s Mother
"The last time I was him he was playing with the kid across the street bouncing a ball back and forth."

That was April 15, 1972. On the morning of April 16^th Danny’s body was found just five feet off the banks of the Chickopee river with visible wounds on the back of his head

The Croteau’s feel strongly they know who killed their son. A man they trusted. Someone they welcomed into their home. A man they prayed with and even let celebrate Danny's funeral. They believer the killer was their priest -- Richard Lavigne.

Carl Croteau, Victim's Father
"He'd babysit, she'd be in the hospital, he'd raid the freezer at the rectory and bring a roast over, some food over so he had us completely off guard."

This isn't the first time the now de-frocked Lavigne has been the center of suspicion.

In 1992 he was convicted of abusing two alter boys. The Springfield Diocese settled dozens of other cases including two with Danny’s brothers.

John Stobierski, Attorney
"For the clients that were molested at the time that Danny Croteau was murdered and before live with the horror and shame that they could have prevented it."

Attorney John Stobierski represents close to 30 of Lavigne’s alleged victims.

John Stobierski, Attorney
"I would estimate a majority of my clients had indicated to me that they either had implicit or explicit physical threats made to them by Richard Lavigne."

Without hard evidence, the Hamden County D.A. Has not been able to charge him with the murder. He wouldn't go on camera but he gave us this statement:

"Everybody that has been involved in the investigation , although frustrated still hopes that information will come to light that will allow the case to be solved"

Neither Lavigne nor his lawyer responded to our attempts to reach them.

A Springfield newspaper has hired private investigators in hopes of uncovering new clues.

Private investigator R.C. Stevens has made a detailed diagram of the murder scene trying to pinpoint the last moves of Danny and his killer.

R.C. Stevens, Private Investigator
"If we can narrow it down we can develop who had the opportunity, who had the time here to be able to make all this happen."

R.C. Stevens, Private Investigator
"Danny didn't vaporize. There is somebody out there that can tell us the last time he was seen."

The Croteau’s are hoping to find justice for their son...

Carl Croteau, Victim's Father
"Those who know the truth should come out and speak like men, 'hey we done wrong we're sorry.'"

If you have any information regarding Danny Croteau's murder -- investigators are asking for your help.

If you have any information please call: