On August 23, 2006, the quiet town of Manchester, Maine, is shattered by a chilling discovery. The bodies of James “Jim” Chase, his wife Sara, and their daughter Jessica lay lifeless in their family home. A family friend stumbles upon the gruesome scene, sparking a triple homicide investigation that grips the community with fear and disbelief. The Chases, known for their warmth and kindness, are the last people anyone would expect to meet such a tragic end.
In the days leading up to the murders, Thomas J. Bonfanti, a 23-year-old familiar face who had done odd jobs for the family, finds himself in the grip of desperation. Driven by a need for drug money, he breaks into the Chase home, his intentions turning deadly when Sara and Jessica interrupt his search. The violence escalates as Jim returns home, only to be ambushed by Bonfanti’s lethal intent. The manhunt that follows is relentless, culminating in Bonfanti’s capture and confession.
The courtroom echoes with the weight of Bonfanti’s guilty plea, sealing his fate with three consecutive life sentences. The tragedy leaves an indelible mark on Manchester, a haunting reminder of the darkness that can lurk in the most unsuspecting places.
Story Source: Newspaper article titled “10 years ago: The murder of the Chase family” (WCSH6 News, August 23, 2016)
