Everything We Know So Far After Human Remains Found Near Taylor Swift’s Home — With 12 Dead in Same Area
A chilling discovery of human remains near Taylor Swift’s coastal mansion in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, has ignited full-blown panic, as law enforcement now confirms a total of 12 victims have been found dead in the surrounding area over the past 18 months.
The latest body—found just 800 yards from Swift’s beachfront estate—was partially buried in the sand dunes of Napatree Point, a remote and windswept area locals describe as “eerily quiet.” According to early reports from The New York Times, the remains were discovered by a jogger early Saturday morning, prompting an immediate lockdown of the beach perimeter by Rhode Island State Police.
Drone footage aired by WJAR NBC10 shows forensics teams in hazmat gear combing the area while stunned tourists and residents gathered behind barricades, whispering theories and fears.
While police have yet to publicly identify the victim, early information leaked to Rolling Stone suggests the body belonged to a woman in her twenties, showing signs of trauma similar to at least eight of the previously discovered victims. A senior source inside the investigation reportedly told the magazine, “It’s no longer a question of coincidence. This is a pattern.”
The terrifying series of deaths has sparked serious concerns that a serial killer may be targeting young women in one of the wealthiest, quietest corners of New England—just steps from one of the world’s most famous pop stars.
Taylor Swift, currently on the European leg of her blockbuster Eras Tour, has not publicly addressed the news. But her spokesperson confirmed to TMZ that “new layers of security have been implemented” and that Swift is “fully briefed and deeply disturbed by what’s happening near her home.”
Watch Hill, a sleepy coastal village in Westerly, Rhode Island, is known for its privacy, historic lighthouses, and celebrity residents. The community has been rocked by the discoveries, with town meetings overflowing and local businesses posting “Stay Safe” signs in windows. A café owner told NBC News, “It feels like we’re living in a thriller, except it’s real—and horrifying.”
FBI agents and behavioral analysts have now been deployed to assist with the case. According to ProPublica, federal officials believe the killer may be targeting isolated walking paths and lesser-used beach trails during off-peak hours.
Six of the twelve confirmed victims were found within five miles of Swift’s property. Maps shared by true crime forums on Reddit chart each discovery, showing an ominous crescent-shaped pattern around the Watch Hill peninsula.
Adding to the anxiety, multiple women have come forward sharing near-miss encounters. One woman told The Guardian she was followed for over half a mile by a hooded man in the dunes last month and reported it to police—who never followed up.
Authorities have not confirmed if they are actively pursuing a suspect, but the Rhode Island State Police press office issued a stark warning on X: “Please avoid unlit trails, travel in groups, and report any suspicious behavior. This is a live investigation.”
This isn’t the first time the Watch Hill area has made headlines for disturbing finds. Back in 2017, the body of a missing tourist was discovered near the same stretch of beach, though it was ruled an accidental drowning. Now, investigators are re-examining that case.
State medical examiner Dr. Leah Simmons told Boston.com that most of the bodies showed “signs of blunt force trauma and deliberate concealment,” but stopped short of confirming whether DNA evidence has linked the deaths to a single perpetrator.
What’s driving even more speculation is a chilling pattern among the victims: nearly all were women aged 19–32, all had brown or blonde hair, and many were wearing athletic clothing when last seen. A data visualization posted by @PopBase went viral for laying out the physical similarities—triggering a wave of posts accusing authorities of downplaying a serial threat.
At a vigil held Sunday night, residents gathered at the Watch Hill Chapel to light candles and pray for answers. Photos from Vanity Fair show dozens of locals holding handwritten signs that read “12 Lives, 0 Arrests” and “Protect Our Daughters.”
Swift’s estate, once a place of glossy celebrity headlines and Instagram sunsets, now looms in the backdrop of what some are calling “New England’s new true crime epicenter.” The change in tone has been jarring.
Crime journalist Billy Jensen told CBS News, “If this was happening near a trailer park, no one would be surprised. But the fact that it’s happening in one of the wealthiest zip codes in America, near one of the most famous women on Earth—that’s what’s terrifying.”
The families of the victims have now joined forces to demand a federal task force. In a statement issued to Axios, they wrote, “We will not wait quietly while our daughters vanish in silence. Whoever is doing this is still out there.”
A memorial GoFundMe created to support the victims’ families—shared by @SeafarersUnion—has already raised over $95,000 in under 72 hours.
With summer tourism season just weeks away, residents remain on edge. The town’s Chamber of Commerce canceled its annual Memorial Day kickoff event out of respect, and hotels are already reporting a wave of early cancellations.
As one resident told WPRI, “This was supposed to be the safest place in Rhode Island. Now it feels like the opening scene of a Netflix docuseries.”
And still—no arrests. No suspect. No closure.
