A body found in Lincoln, Mass., is thought to be the body of Stephen Rakes, a witness who had not yet testified against reputed mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger, according to ABC News.
Officially police have not made an announcement other than that a body has been found near a walking path off of Mill Road in Lincoln. ABC News reports that police at the scene have confirmed that the body is likely that of Stephen "Stippo" Rakes.
Rakes, 59, was prepared to testify against Bulger about how the gang took over his liquor store. Rakes claims that Bulger, along with Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi and Kevin Weeks, pulled out their guns in front of Rakes and his children and forced him into selling the store, according to the Boston Globe.
Weeks told a completely different version of the story when on the stand; Weeks claims that Rakes had agreed to sell for $100,000 and when the deal was being done he tried to raise the price on the mob boss, according to the Boston Globe.
ABC News reports that police have told the Rakes family that the cause of death appears to be suicide although a source also said that the body "had no phone, no wallet, and police are still looking for his car."
Of all of the witnesses lined up against Bulger Rakes had been one of the most eager to testify and on Tuesday prosecutors informed him that they would not be calling him to the stand.
Steve Davis, a friend of Rakes' whose sister is one of the 19 people Bulger is charged with murdering, told the Boston Globe that it really upset Rakes that he would not have a chance to testify and rebut the testimony of Weeks.
"Stippo would not kill himself. Absolutely not," Davis told ABC News. "He was looking forward to taking the stand. He told me over and over he had a big bombshell to drop. He had everything to live for and was looking forward to his day in court. It doesn't make sense."
In response to the death the judge in charge of the case was having a confidential meeting with attorneys at the courthouse where the trial is being held. Prior to the news of Rakes' death Flemmi was expected to take the stand to testify against Bulger today in what was the most anticipated event of the trial, according to ABC News.
At this hour it is unclear if the trial will be postponed for the day due to Rakes' death.
