Authorities say a man already serving life in prison for killing two children is also responsible for the disappearance and death of a Massachusetts teenager more than 20 years ago.
Hampden District Attorney Mark Mastroianni announced Monday that Lewis Lent has confessed to killing 16-year-old James "Jamie" Lusher, of Westfield, Mass., who was never seen again after leaving his home on a bicycle ride in November 1992.
Lent, a former handyman and janitor from North Adams, was convicted of the 1990 killing of 12-year-old Jimmy Bernardo of Pittsfield. He also pleaded guilty to the 1993 abduction and killing of 12-year-old Sara Ann Wood of Norwich Corners, in central New York. Her body was never found, despite multiple searches over the years for her remains.
Lent was arrested in January 1994 after he tried to abduct 12-year-old Rebecca Savarese, of Pittsfield, who managed to escape. Three days later, Lent confessed to attempting to kidnap the girl and to murdering at least two other children.
Mastroianni told reporters Monday that a search for Lusher’s remains will take place at a pond in Becket, Mass.
Officials said Lent will not be prosecuted in the murder and sexual assault of Lusher because he has given authorities the chance to recover the boy's remains for burial, according to the Boston Globe.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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