The Nation - News from Nov. 30, 1988

A teen-age suspect in the slaying of a college student was found hanged in the woods near Buckland, Mass., a month after his disappearance frightened residents and forced police to curtail Holloween celebrations. The body of Mark Branch, 19, was found by a hunter about a mile from the road where Branch’s car was discovered Oct. 25, the day a warrant was issued for his arrest in the stabbing death of Sharon Gregory, 18. Her body was discovered Oct. 24. Franklin County Dist. Atty. Judd Carhart said the cause of Branch’s death was tentatively ruled a suicide. Community nervousness had been increased by reports that Branch was a fan of horror movies, particularly the “Friday the 13th” series in which the character Jason slashes his victims.