40 Years Later, Teenager's Murder Goes to Trial

Michael Hand charged with 1986 killing of Tracy Gilpin in Plymouth, Massachusetts

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

It took over 30 years for Michael Hand to be charged with the 1986 murder of 15-year-old Tracy Gilpin in Plymouth's Myles Standish State Forest. Hand, now 69, is finally standing trial in Brockton Superior Court, with prosecutors alleging he killed Gilpin with a 73-pound rock after she rejected his advances. The nearly 40-year-old case has presented challenges for both the prosecution and defense due to the passage of time, including key witnesses being too ill to testify.

Why it matters

This case highlights the difficulties in prosecuting cold cases decades later, with fading memories, missing evidence, and deceased or ailing witnesses. It also raises questions about police investigations and whether other potential suspects were properly explored at the time. The renewed interest in the case came in 2018 when Gilpin's sister Kerry, then head of the Massachusetts State Police, helped spur a new investigation that led to Hand's arrest.

The details

Prosecutors allege that in October 1986, Hand, then 29, killed Gilpin with a 73-pound rock after she rejected his advances. Gilpin's body was found several weeks later in a shallow grave near the state forest's entrance. Hand, who lived in Kingston at the time, was not charged until 2018 when a renewed investigation uncovered evidence suggesting Gilpin had spent time at Hand's house prior to her murder. Hand allegedly confessed to a fellow inmate and made incriminating statements to police, though his defense lawyer argues he has 'cognitive issues' that made him susceptible to police persuasion.

  • In October 1986, 15-year-old Tracy Gilpin was killed in Plymouth's Myles Standish State Forest.
  • Hand was arrested in 2018 in North Carolina, where he had moved years earlier.
  • The trial began in March 2026, nearly 40 years after Gilpin's murder.

The players

Michael Hand

A 69-year-old man charged with the 1986 murder of Tracy Gilpin. Hand was arrested in 2018 and has been held without bail since then.

Tracy Gilpin

A 15-year-old girl who was murdered in 1986 in Plymouth's Myles Standish State Forest.

Kerry Gilpin

Tracy Gilpin's sister, who was head of the Massachusetts State Police when a renewed investigation led to Hand's arrest in 2018.

Shanan Buckingham and Jennifer Sprague

Plymouth County prosecutors handling the case against Hand.

Craig Tavares

Hand's defense lawyer, who argues there is no DNA or forensic evidence linking his client to the crime.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It was a long time ago.”

— Alan Thomas, Former boyfriend of Tracy Gilpin

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge is still considering motions filed by the defense, including one to allow jurors to see reports from the original investigators who are too ill to testify. The trial is expected to continue through this week and go to the jury late this week or early next week.

The takeaway

This case highlights the immense challenges in prosecuting cold cases decades later, with fading memories, missing evidence, and deceased or ailing witnesses. It raises questions about police investigations and whether all potential suspects were properly explored at the time. The renewed interest in the case came when Gilpin's sister, then head of the state police, helped spur a new investigation that led to the arrest.