The murder of Martha Moxley, a Greenwich teenager, occurred on October 30, 1975, and has captivated public interest and legal scrutiny for nearly five decades. The tragic events leading to her death set off a series of profound investigations and legal dramas that remain prominent in the community’s memory.
On that fateful night, Moxley was brutally killed with a golf club, which was later traced back to a set owned by the family of Michael Skakel, a neighbor. Her body was discovered the following day, hidden under a tree in her yard, igniting a wave of mourning and investigation. Martha’s funeral on November 4, 1975, drew over 500 attendees, with the Rev. Richard Manus praising her ability to connect with people. However, detectives kept a watchful eye on mourners, hoping to discern any suspicious behavior.
As rumors swirled and the investigation faltered, public speculation centered around Thomas Skakel, which prompted local media to call out the dangers of trial by rumor. Despite various investigative efforts, including a report from Detroit detectives and a reward announced by then-Governor Ella T. Grasso to encourage leads, the case hit a dead end throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s.
In 1991, renewed interest in the case emerged when investigative journalist Leonard Levitt published articles implicating Michael Skakel. A subsequent investigation revealed inconsistencies in Skakel’s alibi, leading to his arrest in January 2000. After a highly publicized trial in 2002, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years to life, only to have his conviction upheld by the State Supreme Court in 2006.
Skakel’s legal challenges continued, with a significant breakthrough occurring in 2013 when a judge found in his favor, leading to a new trial. Following his release on bail later that year, Skakel’s case garnered further attention from his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who published a book claiming his innocence and suggesting alternative suspects.
The legal saga took another unexpected turn in 2018 when the Connecticut Supreme Court vacated Skakel’s conviction, citing ineffective assistance of counsel. In a dramatic conclusion to the case, on October 30, 2020, the state announced it would not retry Skakel, declaring it couldn’t meet the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
In recent developments, Skakel has filed a lawsuit against the town of Greenwich and law enforcement for alleged procedural misconduct leading to his initial incarceration. Meanwhile, the Moxley family continues to grieve the loss, notably with the passing of Dorthy Moxley, Martha’s mother, in December 2024.
As the anniversary of the murder approaches again in 2025, NBC News Studios plans to explore the complexities of this enduring case through a podcast hosted by journalist Andrew Goldman, likely reigniting discussions about the search for justice in this storied affair. The ongoing interest in Martha Moxley’s case serves as a poignant reminder of the unresolved pain and the need for clarity in tragic events that have profoundly affected many lives.