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New England's Unsolved: Chelsea woman stabbed to death, left in the street

CHELSEA, Mass. — In Chelsea, a savage murder haunts investigators.  Michelle Dauwer was stabbed to death and left to die in the street, her killer has never been found. Three years later, Michelle’s mother June Dauwer is doing all she can, to keep a solemn promise.

“All I have left now are the pictures and the memories of someone that was my best friend, my only daughter” said Dauwer

She cannot get used to life without her daughter, nor can she get used to the fact that Michelle’s killer is still walking the streets.

“We suffer every day because there is no closure” Dauwer said.

The murder of Michelle Dauwer on Dec. 10, 2013, was brutal. The mother of three was repeatedly stabbed and left to die in the middle of the street.  The murder was so up close and personal, June believes her daughter knew the killer.

Michelle's body was found around 1 a.m. near the intersection of Broadway and 3rd Street in Chelsea, not far from the police station. Detectives believe the fatal attack actually started a block away on Cherry Street.

“It was snowing out.  It was cold out and he left her lying out in the gutter” Dauwer said.

The amount of violence inflicted on Michelle to this day concerns Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes.

“If someone has some information we will do everything we can to protect that individual.  This thing has been lingering on for three years. Again the number of people speaking up is close to zero. So we need some help in this one” said Kyes.

Like so many others, Michelle Dauwer came from a loving home, but fell into the  trap of addiction. At the time of the murder though, her mother says, Michelle was turning things around.

Michelle was engaged to be married and was in recovery.

Still, June Dauwer was concerned.

In the days before the murder, Michelle left June's home in Revere where she was staying and disappeared into neighboring Chelsea.

“I knew something bad was going to happen, I just knew it” Dauwer said.

On the night of the murder, Dauwer says Michelle was out to dinner with a friend in downtown Chelsea, and was last seen at the Chelsea Walk Pub on Broadway.

At some point, June believes her daughter was lured into an alley called Chelsea Walk, and then attacked on Cherry Street.  Michelle Dauwer died at the hospital later that night.

“I never got to say goodbye. I never got to say goodbye. I never got to say I love you. I’m sorry I couldn't help you” Dauwer said.

June keeps an angel tree in her Revere condo and she's promised to herself to keep it until there's an arrest.

It’s part of a promise she made to Michelle at the morgue.

“I whispered in her ear, and I told her that I loved her. And I told her that I will live my life to find justice for you. I will not let this go away” said Dauwer

The Dauwer family is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of Michelle’s killer

If you know anything about the murder of Michelle Dauwer, contact Chelsea Police at (617) 466-4880

You can also leave an anonymous tip through the Chelsea Police web page.