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Boston Massachusetts, Suspicious Death of her Father. Was It Murder? The Boston we know today is in many ways different from the Boston of the 1970s. Organized Crime was Rampant in Boston, Massachusetts and the surrounding areas. There were prominent Italian Mob Organized Crime Gangs. Also Irish Organized Crime groups flourished and prospered. There were many accusations and subsequent arrests and convictions in local and state police during that time. There were also FBI Agents arrested and convicted for crimes while working with organized crime group informants. Ann tells the story and more as a guest on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show, which is available as a free podcast on their website on platforms like Apple, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.
Ann Flynn Dickinson is our guest and tells the tale from her childhood all the way to her adult years of the mystery surrounding the death of her Father Owen Flynn. Check out the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms.
Boston is a city with a storied history of resilience and rebellion and is no stranger to mysteries. From its cobblestone streets to its glittering skyline, the city holds secrets, and some stories never fade. One such enigma dates back to December 1972, when Owen Flynn, a West End bartender, vanished under suspicious circumstances. His case intertwines with the city's dark era of organized crime and has sparked renewed interest thanks to his determined daughter, Ann Flynn Dickinson. Look for more on the story in platforms like Medium and Newsbreak.
A City Steeped in Organized Crime
The Boston of the 1970s was a hotbed for organized crime. Italian mobsters and Irish gangs like the Winter Hill Gang ruled the streets, and corruption infiltrated law enforcement, even touching the FBI. This tumultuous backdrop framed Flynn's mysterious death, which some suspect was no accident. Boston Massachusetts, Suspicious Death of her Father. Was It Murder? The interview with here is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show, which is available as a free podcast on their website on platforms like Apple, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.
Flynn disappeared on a frigid December evening, leaving his car abandoned on the Granite Avenue Bridge. Though initially presumed a suicide, the details raised eyebrows. The low elevation of the bridge and icy patches on the Neponset River made such a scenario improbable. The lack of evidence or a clear motive for suicide only deepened the mystery.
A Daughter’s Quest for Answers
Ann Flynn Dickinson was just a child when her father went missing. Now an adult, she is determined to uncover the truth. "I knew something was wrong when my mother said he didn’t come home," she recalls. Her father's death certificate listed the cause as "unknown," a frustratingly vague conclusion. Keep informed by following the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, MeWe, Pinterest, Newsbreak, Medium and other social media platforms.
In 1972, Flynn had just purchased a new car and a home, suggesting he had reasons to live. He was also a silent partner in a new bar, Downey and Judge, in Boston's West End. But borrowing $10,000, likely from dangerous sources, may have placed him in peril. Boston Massachusetts, Suspicious Death of her Father.
Organized Crime’s Shadow
The timing of Flynn’s disappearance coincided with a bloody gang war between James "Whitey" Bulger's Winter Hill Gang and the Mullen Gang. Bulger, who later became one of America’s most notorious gangsters, was known for his brutal methods. Could Flynn have been a victim of gang violence? The interview is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show, which is available as a free podcast on their website on platforms like Apple, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.
In her pursuit of the truth, Dickinson even wrote to Bulger while he was imprisoned. Surprisingly, he replied. While Bulger denied involvement, his letter hinted at other possibilities, including betrayal by business partners or mistaken identity. His chilling tone left more questions than answers.
The Granite Avenue Bridge Discovery
The most haunting piece of the puzzle remains Flynn's abandoned car on the Granite Avenue Bridge. Dickinson herself identified it while being driven to her aunt's home. The car, locked with the keys on the dashboard, was never thoroughly investigated. Police dismissed it as a "casual search," neglecting to dust for fingerprints or search for evidence. Boston Massachusetts, Suspicious Death of her Father. Platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify make these stories more accessible, allowing listeners to become informed and vigilant.
A month later, Flynn's body washed up on Carson Beach in South Boston. Officially, he was presumed drowned, but law enforcement and family members questioned this conclusion. Quincy Police Lt. Bob Gillan, a seasoned diver, dismissed the notion of suicide, stating, "It doesn’t pass the sniff test."
Echoes of Boston’s Gangland Era
Flynn's story resurfaced during Bulger's high-profile trial in 2013. Families of other victims approached law enforcement, wondering if their loved ones had also fallen prey to Bulger's gang. Flynn’s case fit a pattern, abandoned vehicles, missing persons, and unsolved murders. Be sure to follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms.
Bulger’s letter to Dickinson acknowledged the brutal realities of gangland Boston, suggesting Flynn’s death might have been orchestrated for insurance money or due to business disputes. Yet, he maintained his innocence regarding Flynn’s demise.
The Legacy of a Mystery
Decades later, Flynn’s death continues to captivate true crime enthusiasts and historians. His daughter’s persistence has kept the story alive, highlighting the murky intersection of organized crime, corruption, and loss in 1970s Boston. Boston Massachusetts, Suspicious Death.
The case has gained attention through books like Code Black by Bill Fleming and Joe Peters and podcasts on platforms like Spotify and Apple. Social media outlets like Facebook and Instagram also amplify the story, bringing it to a new generation.
A City’s Unanswered Questions
Boston’s history is riddled with tales of intrigue, but few are as personal as Owen Flynn’s. His death is more than a cold case; it’s a reflection of a city grappling with its identity during a turbulent time. For Ann Flynn Dickinson, the quest for answers remains a deeply personal journey. Boston Massachusetts, Suspicious Death of her Father. Was It Murder?
As Boston moves forward, the shadows of its past linger. Was Flynn’s death a tragic accident, a calculated murder, or something in between? The truth remains elusive, but the story of Owen Flynn ensures the question will not be forgotten. Follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms.
The story was featured in the book "Code Black" by Bill Fleming and Joe Peters.
Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer
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Boston Massachusetts, Suspicious Death of her Father. Was It Murder?
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Retired Police Sergeant, Music Radio Personality, Talk Radio Show Host, Podcaster and Producer
John J. Wiley is a retired Police Sergeant turned radio personality. He has been a full time FM Music Radio DJ since 2005. In 2017 he founded the Law Enforcement Today Podcast, in a partnership with Robert Greenberg of Law Enforcement Today. The show is now named the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast.
Within a couple months a radio station heard an episode of the podcast and asked him to create a radio version, which he did. It has been syndicated since the Spring of 2017 and has numerous affiliate radio stations across the US.
