In the quiet town of Seekonk, Massachusetts, the evening of July 6, 2021, was shattered by the sound of gunfire. Responding to 911 calls, police arrived at an apartment on Forsyth Circle to a grim discovery. Inside, they found 66-year-old Joseph Housley, a White male, who had been fatally shot. The incident marked the first homicide in the town in decades, leaving the community in shock.
An extensive and complex investigation spanning nearly 15 months began to unravel a disturbing narrative. The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Seekonk Police, Rehoboth Police, and Massachusetts State Police, pointed towards two main suspects: the victim's own son, Joseph "JD" Housley II, and his close friend, Christopher Heron, both 21 years old at the time. This revelation added a tragic layer to the already devastating loss for the Housley family.
In September 2022, a grand jury indicted both "JD" Housley II and Christopher Heron on charges of murder and carrying an illegal firearm. The two young men, both from the nearby town of Rehoboth, pleaded not guilty to the charges. At the time of their indictment for the murder, both were already in custody on unrelated gun and drug charges from 2021. The case against them was meticulously built by the Bristol County District Attorney's office, leading to separate trials.
The legal proceedings brought a measure of justice for Joseph Housley. Christopher Heron was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 18 years. Following a trial that lasted over three weeks, Joseph "JD" Housley II was convicted of the first-degree murder of his father. His sentencing was scheduled for December 1, 2025. The convictions brought a close to a long and painful chapter for the community, marked by the profound tragedy of a father killed by his own son and his son's friend.
