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In 1972 the Croteau family had a traditionally large Catholic family, the five sons were alter boys. Father Richard Lavigne was the parish priest. Dan threatened to reveal that Lavigne was suppling him with alcohol and molesting him. Shortly thereafter, Dan was found floating in the Chicopee River in Springfield, Massachusetts. Father Lavigne was an immediate suspect, Dan's brothers admitted that Father Lavigne was also molesting them and others. State Police investigators informed the Springfield Archdiocese of this evil, they turned a blind eye and did nothing on the issues of murder and rape. In 1992 Lavigne was charged with two counts of indecent assault and battery on two boys. He received probation, more than 100 children eventually accused Lavigne of sexually abuse. The church paid out millions to the survivors of Lavigne's abuse. The Catholic Church took another decade to remove Lavigne as a priest. The case was never really cold, the police knew exactly who did this crime. Lavigne came close enough to a confession in 2021, so much so, that he was going to be arrested, however on the day of his arrest he died of covid-19 related symptoms. He cheated justice one final time.
Springfield District Attorney Gullini's press conference:
https://bit.ly/3p5gHvg
