Darrell Lavoie, 59, of Nashua, N.H., was arraigned on Nov. 17 on charges tied to an alleged Nov. 12, 1991 knifepoint rape in Peabody, Mass. Prosecutors say he hid in the victim’s home, blindfolded her and raped her, and the victim has lived in fear for 34 years. Investigators say a woman who dated Lavoie at the time found a bag with duct tape, a hood with eye holes, a knife and a rag; Lavoie allegedly said the items were for hunting. Advances in DNA technology reportedly produced a match; he faces multiple charges, has pleaded not guilty, and is due back in court on Jan. 9.
Photographer Arrested in 34-Year Cold Case After DNA Match in Alleged 1991 Knifepoint Rape
Darrell Lavoie, 59, of Nashua, N.H., was arraigned on Nov. 17 on charges tied to an alleged Nov. 12, 1991 knifepoint rape in Peabody, Mass. Prosecutors say he hid in the victim’s home, blindfolded her and raped her, and the victim has lived in fear for 34 years. Investigators say a woman who dated Lavoie at the time found a bag with duct tape, a hood with eye holes, a knife and a rag; Lavoie allegedly said the items were for hunting. Advances in DNA technology reportedly produced a match; he faces multiple charges, has pleaded not guilty, and is due back in court on Jan. 9.
09:57 PM, 11/18/2025Society
Photographer Arrested in 34-Year Cold Case After DNA Match
A New Hampshire man was arraigned Nov. 17 in connection with an alleged knifepoint rape prosecutors say occurred more than three decades ago. Darrell Lavoie, 59, of Nashua, New Hampshire, appeared in Essex County Superior Court in Massachusetts on charges tied to an incident prosecutors say took place on Nov. 12, 1991, in Peabody, Massachusetts, according to the Essex County District Attorney's office.
Prosecutors allege that Lavoie hid inside the victim's home, waited for her, then blindfolded and raped her at knifepoint. Assistant District Attorney Jessica Strasnick told the court that the victim has lived in fear for 34 years while not knowing who attacked her in her own home.
Shortly after the alleged assault, investigators say a woman who was dating Lavoie at the time told the victim she had found a suspicious bag under her porch. Prosecutors say the bag contained a roll of duct tape, a hood with eye holes cut, a knife and a rag; when questioned, Lavoie allegedly said the items were for hunting. That woman was reportedly a friend of the alleged victim, according to media reports.
At the time of the original investigation, Lavoie is accused of refusing to provide a DNA sample. Prosecutors say advances in DNA technology later allowed investigators to match preserved forensic evidence to Lavoie. Media outlets reporting on the case include WMUR, The Boston Globe and PEOPLE.
The Essex County DA has charged Lavoie with rape, aggravated rape, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and breaking and entering. Bail was set at $100,000, and he was ordered not to contact the alleged victim. Lavoie has pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on Jan. 9.
Public records and media reports indicate Lavoie has no prior criminal convictions and has been publicly identified online as an Army veteran and a photographer in Nashua. Reports also note he raised funds on Facebook in 2021 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. An attorney for Lavoie did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Assistant District Attorney Jessica Strasnick said the victim has lived with the fear of this attack for 34 years.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, resources are available. In the United States, text STRENGTH to 741741 to reach a certified crisis counselor through the Crisis Text Line.