Please Stand With Us for Su Taraskiewicz

On Saturday, September 12, at noon, we will gather at Constitution Beach in East Boston to remember Susan “Su” Taraskiewicz and stand beside her mother, Marlene.

Su was only 27 years old when she was murdered in September 1992. She was the first woman to become a baggage supervisor for Northwest Airlines at Logan Airport. She was strong, hardworking, funny, artistic, and deeply loved. She was also subjected to relentless harassment after taking on a position traditionally held by men.

Thirty-four years later, Su’s murder remains unsolved.

Marlene Taraskiewicz is Su’s mother. She is now 84 years old and has spent the past 34 years waiting for answers about who murdered her daughter and why. She has endured a loss no mother should ever have to experience, yet she has never stopped loving Su, speaking her name, or hoping that someone will finally come forward with the truth.

For Marlene, these have not simply been 34 years without an answer. They have been 34 years without her daughter. Thirty-four birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and ordinary days when Su should have been here.

Marlene once told me that she had prayed for someone to come along and help keep Su’s name and case alive. Then, she said, I came along.

I do not take those words lightly.

Over the past year, I have dedicated myself to learning everything I can about Su, the life she lived, what she endured at Logan Airport, the investigation into her murder, and the questions that remain unanswered. I have spoken with retired investigators, law enforcement officers, attorneys, journalists, witnesses, former coworkers, friends, and members of the community. I have reviewed court records, newspaper archives, legal documents, and other materials connected to the case.

I am also writing Girl on the Billboard, a narrative nonfiction book about Su’s life, her murder, and the decades-long search for justice. Through the book, my advocacy, and the conversations we continue to have publicly, I am determined to keep attention on this case and help uncover the truth.

The vigil will bring together Marlene, members of Su’s family, friends, community members, advocates, members of the media, and retired law enforcement investigators who have worked on or followed Su’s case. Retired investigators will speak about Su, the investigation, and why this case can still be solved.

There will be a prayer, remarks about Su and the investigation, 34 flowers representing the 34 years that have passed, and a 34-second moment of silence. Most importantly, we will surround Marlene and show her that she is no longer carrying this fight alone.

I know everyone is busy. There are always places we need to be and things we need or want to do. But if you are able to give us part of your day and stand with Marlene, it would mean the world to her.

Showing up matters.

When people gather, the public pays attention. The media pays attention. Investigators and officials see that the community still cares. Someone who knows something may hear Su’s name again and finally decide that it is time to speak. Public attention reminds everyone that this case has not gone away and that the people responsible should never assume everyone has moved on.

A vigil cannot undo what happened to Su, but it can show Marlene that her daughter is remembered. It can honor the life Su lived instead of allowing her to be remembered only for what was done to her. It can also create renewed attention, pressure, and movement around a case that still deserves answers.

Please join us at noon on Saturday, September 12, at Constitution Beach in East Boston. We expect to gather near the gazebo if construction is complete. If that area remains unavailable, the vigil will be held closer to the skating rink. Directional signs will be posted.

Please share this with your family, friends, neighbors, former Northwest Airlines employees, Logan Airport workers, and anyone who may remember Su or the circumstances surrounding her death.

Marlene prayed that someone would come along and help keep her daughter’s story alive. I promised her I would do everything I could.

Now I am asking you to help us show this mother that her daughter still matters, her life is still remembered, and she has not been forgotten.

Please stand with us on September 12.

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