SHIRLEY MASSACHUSETTS, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Shirley Police Chief Samuel Santiago confirmed that human remains discovered Wednesday evening in Shirley have been identified as 69-year-old Peter Degan.
Authorities said the discovery was made around 5:30 p.m. when a group of young people walking near the Maritime Veterans Memorial Bridge on Shaker Road reported seeing what appeared to be a human leg in the water.
Shirley Police and Fire personnel responded to the scene and confirmed that the object in the water was a human leg. Further investigation led to the recovery of additional body parts, which were later identified through fingerprints as belonging to Degan.
Preliminary findings from investigators suggest that Degan’s remains may have been severed using a sharp instrument, and authorities said foul play is suspected.
Officials also stated that Degan previously pleaded guilty in February 2019 to charges related to trafficking and distribution of cocaine in a Suffolk County case. After his release from prison, Degan had been living at a Pre-Release Center in Rockland, which is considered his last known address.
Investigators believe Degan was last seen in Rockland on Friday, February 27, 2026.
Authorities said they do not currently believe the incident was a random attack. Police are asking anyone who may have information about Degan or who noticed suspicious activity in the area where the remains were found to contact law enforcement.
The investigation remains active and ongoing and is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Shirley Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Detectives, and the Massachusetts State Police Underwater Recovery Unit.
Prosecutors assigned to the case are Graham Van Epps and Bayley Weese.
