Based on allegations, DeGrazia was questioned, arrested, and charged with the 17 rapes and assaults, while also being investigated as a suspect in the 9 murders along area highways. Anthony DeGrazia was later accused of 17 rapes and assaults on several prostitutes. The prostitute, who described the assailant as having a "flat nose," never named DeGrazia as a positive suspect, but stated that he looked like the man who assaulted her. In May of 1989, Anthony DeGrazia was identified by a locally known New Bedford prostitute by means of a picture provided by a young, inexperienced detective, Loraine Forrest. The suspects were numerous with many have the motive & opportunity, but none were convicted. I tred to list below every suspect publicly discussed in detail in this case. Thomas Quinn was appointed District Attorney and remains in office today. In 2014 Sutter resigned and was elected Mayor of the City of Fall River. Sutter was not convinced that DeGrazia was the killer and felt the evidence doesn't point to that person. Many cases were solved, but not the Highway Killings. In 2006 Samuel Sutter was elected District Attorney, he committed to solving cold cases within Bristol County. Walsh’s office, and retired New Bedford Detective Richard Ferreira, both believe Mr. Nelson Ostiguy, who briefly headed the state police investigative unit assigned to Mr. Walsh and two of the original investigators believed DeGrazia was the Highway Killer, and by taking his own life, it was an admission of guilt. On Jthe murder charge by the special prosecutor against Ponte was dropped due to lack of evidence. Walsh also publicly committed to solve the case, and on Maappointed Paul Buckley as special prosecutor. In 1990 Pina lost re-election and Paul Walsh Jr. Pina has publicly stated he thought Kenneth Ponte was the Highway Killer. In 1990 he was able to secure a grand jury indictment against Kenneth Ponte for one of the murders. The largest criminal investigation in the region was underway and the DA, Ronald Pina, was under immense pressure to solve the case.