The Murder of Stephanie Santerre

This post is a little shorter because this case isn’t talked about too often, but it’s tragic and disturbing. Plus, I want to continue to talk about cases that aren’t often talked about or are unsolved. I watched an episode of Twisted Sisters on ID, it’s season 1, episode 3 titled ‘My Sister’s Keeper.’

Background

This took place in Groton Massachusetts, and the crime occurred on January 28th, 1996- Super Bowl Sunday. Before I get into the case, and the timeline I will discuss Stephanie, her family and the other people who were involved in this case.

Stephanie Santerre was a 16 year old girl when she was killed. She was described as being “a wild child,” so much so that her mom even put her into foster care because she couldn't handle her. Stephanie immediately moved in with her 18 year old sister, Heather. Heather lived with her boyfriend Paul Reed, and Paul’s mom.

Stephanie Santerre, the man in the picture is Greg who was Patricia’s boyfriend.

It’s reported that when Paul’s mom was at work, Paul’s house would become a party house. Paul often had his friends over. Heather and Paul weren’t popular, and only had a few close friends each. Heather’s friend Patricia McKinnon would often be there, with her boyfriend Greg. Their mutual friend Brian would also visit.

The home where Paul Reed, his mother and many people lived.

Patricia was interviewed in this episode, and she said that the house was very small, with a lot of people often living there. She said she got pregnant in 1995, and had her boyfriend Greg move into the home with Paul and Heather.

They all had similar home lives, which is why they all could relate to one another. Before the murder, there was apparently a lot of drama because Paul and Greg both had secret relationships with Stephanie and it made Patricia and Heather mad, Heather already didn’t like her sister very much so it pushed her over the edge.

Timeline of Murder and After

January 28th- Stephanie was last seen. She apparently walked out of the house after a fight with Paul. She was only wearing shorts, a t-shirt and tennis shoes, despite it being cold and snowy. The day she was actually murdered.

January 30th- Heather was interviewed by police. She said that Stephanie had a boyfriend named Steve, and that Stephanie called and said she was at a party at Steve’s house. The police followed up, and Steve lived with his dad, he said he was home the whole night with his son and there was no party. He also said Stephanie was not there.

February 5th- Paul and Heather are brought in for questioning. Paul said Stephanie had a relationship with Greg, who was Patricia’s boyfriend. He said he caught them having sex, and told them that if his younger brothers were in the house, they couldn't be doing that. He said Stephanie had gotten angry and stormed out.

February 6th- Patricia said in the episode, that she felt guilty and broke down. She told her mom she was pregnant and some other things she didn’t discuss. Her mom brought her into the police station. Patricia said she thinks something happened to Stephanie. Patricia directed them to Fort Hill Road, a rural camping ground, where she thinks Stephanie’s body was. The police didn’t find a body.

February 10th- Patricia once again went into the police station and told them a new location to search.

They found Stephanie’s body. Stephanie was found sitting against a tree. She was wearing socks, her bottom half was covered by garbage bags, she had a chain around her neck, with obvious signs of strangulation. Her eyes were also open, and the detective said “it was like she was looking right at me.” It was now a homicide investigation, and her cause of death was strangulation.

What Really Happened?

Patricia said on January 26th, 2 days before Stephanie was killed, Heather started talking about wanting Stephanie dead. She also told Paul the ideal spot to dump the body.

On January 28th, the day of the murder, Heather said to Paul “if you love me, you’ll kill her.”

Heather told Patricia and Greg to leave the house in her car while they killed Stephanie. Patricia said she didn’t think it was serious, and that she thought they’d all be sitting together when they got back.

She was wrong. When they got back, Paul apparently confessed to everything. He lured Stephanie upstairs for “sex.” He tied her hands, blindfolded her, and started to strangle her with a chain. Heather then came upstairs, and said Stephanie was still breathing. Paul found a pipe that he used to finish her off, he said he twisted so hard, he snapped her neck. Then, if what they already did wasn't bad enough, they put her body in a garbage bin, and waited to dump her body.

Paul apparently said if Patricia said anything he’d kill her baby.

Investigation

On February 13th, 1996, they told Heather they found Stephanie’s body. They said Heather told them immediately that she knew Patricia had ratted them out.

They searched Paul’s home, and found Stephanie’s hair, and the pipe that he killed her with.

Charges and Arrests

Heather Santerre and Paul Reed were both arrested and charged. Paul was charged with murder and Heather was charged with accessory to murder.

Another plot twist, Stephanie was pregnant at the time she was killed. They never said on the show who the father was, but Brian and Patricia believe it was Paul’s.

Paul was sentenced to life with out parole, and Heather was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Heather was released in May of 2013.

Patricia was given immunity for her confession.

Paul Reed

FINAL THOUGHTS

I think Heather should have gotten more time, especially because I think she’s the real master mind behind the crime. She made it very obvious that she didn’t like her sister. I think Paul is a monster, and never actually had feelings for Stephanie. He said he “loved her,” but how can you brutally kill someone you love? I don’t think Paul and Heather had any emotions, and that was even said in the show that they never showed any emotions.

I think Patricia was involved, she should have said something to the police sooner. I don’t think she actually had a hand in killing Stephanie, but she knew of the planning and could’ve have either stopped it or told the police after she found out it happened. I understand she might have been scared of what Paul said, but she told them eventually and didn’t seem too afraid then.

I’m happy Stephanie got justice, and she didn’t deserve to die, especially at the hands of her sister and the only people she really had in her life.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find too many pictures or videos online. They used the same few photos in the episode as well of Stephanie, Heather and Paul.

Sources

The main source I got for this was the episode of Twisted Sisters.

https://apnews.com/article/2b3c04ff9f576f50d86b6df3e7c00e9a

https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2012/07/29/some-forgive-some-cant-none-forget/