# Police solve 1986 Massachusetts student murder

> Police solved a 1986 Massachusetts student's murder after DNA match linked to a 20-year-old killer.
- Title: Police solve 1986 Massachusetts student murder · ABC7 New York
- Summary: Police solved a 1986 Massachusetts student's murder after DNA match linked to a 20-year-old killer. John Carey, convicted of murdering Claire Gravel in 1986…
- Keywords: claire gravel, john carey, salem state college, massachusetts, dna, codis, cold case, murder, police, 2020, news, local
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/story/how-police-solved-massachusetts-students-1986-murder/19871556
- Published: 2026-09-25T16:02:23+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: claire gravel, john carey, salem state college, massachusetts, dna, codis, cold case, murder, police, 2020, news, local
## Claire Gravel's murder
Claire Gravel, a 20-year-old student, was found strangled near Salem in 1986.
## Family's long wait
Claire's family waited decades for answers after her murder remained unsolved for nearly 40 years.
## DNA breakthrough
In 2004, police processed Claire's tank top for DNA, but the match remained unidentified for years.
## John Carey's connection
John Carey, a man who attended Salem State before Claire, was linked to Claire's tank top DNA in 2022.
## Trial and conviction
Carey was convicted of Claire's murder in 2022 after a nearly three-week trial ended with a guilty verdict.
## Life without parole
Carey received life in prison without parole after the jury sentenced him to the maximum penalty.
## Family's reaction
Claire's family described the relief of finally having answers after decades of uncertainty.
## Key takeaway

John Carey, convicted of murdering Claire Gravel in 1986, received life without parole after DNA evidence connected him to her tank top.