An extensive investigation into the previously unsolved July 6, 2021 homicide of 66-year-old Joseph Housley in Seekonk has resulted in the indictment of the victim’s son and another man for murder, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

 

A Bristol County Grand Jury on Thursday handed down indictments charging Joseph “JD” Housley II and Christopher Heron with Murder and Carrying an Illegal Firearm. Both 21-year-old defendants are from Rehoboth and are currently in custody.

 

The 15-month long investigation was coordinated and presented to the grand jury by Assistant District Attorney Shawn Guilderson, and was conducted with the assistance of Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to DA Quinn’s office, Seekonk Police and Rehoboth Police. 

 

“I want to commend the investigators from my office, Seekonk Police, Rehoboth Police and State Police for their combined efforts in investigating this complex case,” District Attorney Quin said.  “Their tireless work for the past 15 months led to this indictment. We now look forward to prosecuting this case in court.”

Both defendants have been in custody since last fall and both are due in Fall River Superior Court for pretrial hearings on their respective cases on October 18th.  It is likely both defendants will be arraigned on the new indictments on that date, but we are awaiting final confirmation from the clerk’s office.

At approximately 9:53 pm on July 6, 2021, Seekonk Police responded to 911 calls regarding possible gun shots  in the area of 101 Forsyth Circle.  When first responders arrived on scene, they located 66-year-old Joseph Housley suffering from an apparent gunshot wound in an apartment at 101 Forsyth Circle.  He was later pronounced deceased.

No further information regarding the facts of the murder case can be released until both defendants are arraigned in open court