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Death of an Altar Boy: The Unsolved Murder of Danny Croteau and the Culture of Abuse in the Catholic Church
The tragic death of 13-year-old Danny Croteau in 1972 faded from headlines and memories for 20 years until the Boston abuse scandal--a string of assaults within the Catholic Church--exploded in the early 2000s. Despite numerous indications--including 40 claims of sexual misconduct with minors--pointing to him as Croteau's killer, the Reverend Richard R. Lavigne remains "innocent."
Drawing on more than 10,000 pages of police and court records and interviews with Danny's friends and family, fellow abuse victims, and church officials, the author uncovers the truth--church complicity in a cover up and the masking of priests' involvement in a ring of abusive clergy--behind Croteau's death and those who had a hand in it.
Drawing on more than 10,000 pages of police and court records and interviews with Danny's friends and family, fellow abuse victims, and church officials, the author uncovers the truth--church complicity in a cover up and the masking of priests' involvement in a ring of abusive clergy--behind Croteau's death and those who had a hand in it.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2018
87 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Fleming
9 books6 followersE.J. Fleming has been researching Hollywood for decades and has penned biographies of Carole Landis and Wallace Reid, among other books. He lives in the country in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
May 24, 2018
A disturbing, well-researched investigation into the brutal murder of a Massachusetts altar boy. This book left me sleepless. Not only because I was up way too late reading this compelling account, but because of the darkness in the life of this child and scores of other children who were abused by priests. How anyone could remain in the Catholic Church after reading this tragic, horrifying story is beyond my comprehension. I wept at the end when the author does such a touching and moving job of recording what happened to the children as they grew up and had to live with the horrors they experienced at the hands of people who should have been protecting not just their bodies but their souls. It is said that the Catholic Church is the one true Church of Jesus Christ and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I'm not sure what others view as the gates of hell, but in my opinion the gates of hell have surely prevailed and the actions of the priests in just this book alone show me that there is absolutely no way Christ would ever recognize this sham of a church. Read it and become informed. The smoke of Satan practically pours off the pages. Thank you E J Fleming for a gripping, painful, but absolutely critical account of a church completely devoid of any morality.
June 4, 2018
This book will make you utterly sick. Thoroughly researched, extremely well done. If you are looking for something to make you shake your head, buy this book!
November 26, 2021
Over the course of several decades Reverend Richard Lavigne habitually abused dozens of children unfortunate enough to cross his path. A remorseless sadist, he inflicted abuse on young boys and girls seemingly whenever the opportunity presented itself, creating many of those opportunities by exploiting traditional Catholic deference to the clergy, which allowed him to ingratiate himself with his victims' families. Lavigne wasn't a master of subtlety though: he would brazenly assault victims in public places and was caught in the act by colleagues on more than one occasion. As E.J. Fleming writes, those witnesses did nothing to stop Lavigne. Nor did the Catholic Church, despite being well aware of Lavigne's crimes.
Another crime Lavigne possibly committed was the murder of Danny Croteau, who was -- at the very least -- yet another victim of Lavigne's sexual perversions. Committed early in Lavigne's criminal career, the Croteau murder was followed by a bungled investigation and a Church-sponsored cover-up that allowed Lavigne to shatter many more lives. Author Fleming thus ties Lavigne's story into the larger, even more enraging story of the Catholic Church's deliberate efforts to protect and enable paedophile priests via cover-ups, transfers, pay-offs and non-compliance with law enforcement. He reveals that Lavigne was merely a drop in the ocean as far as the story of institutionalised child abuse goes. And lest you think the problem was limited to church officials, there are several stories of parents who chose not to believe their children or even excused their abusers' actions. Imagine how lonely a priest's life must be, said one. Then when justice appeared to be catching up with Lavigne, congregants rallied to his defense and a surprise guilty plea saw him rewarded with a slap on the wrist. He immediately continued abusing children. Maddening.
For what it's worth, Fleming does a lot to pour cold water on the notion that Lavigne murdered Danny Croteau, despite Lavigne's suspicious behaviour following the boy's death. He introduces a number of other suspects who, as probable abusers of Croteau, also had motive to silence the teenager. That Croteau might have been using the abuse he suffered as leverage to get hush money from several men is another allegation that Fleming uncovers. Yet like the recently published Evil at Lake Seminole: The Shocking True Story Surrounding the Disappearance of Mike Williams , Death of an Altar Boy's conclusion -- that Lavigne probably wasn't a murderer -- may have been trumped by recent events. Lavigne contracted COVID-19 in 2021 and died in May, having apparently made a series of deathbed admissions. Hours before his death, an arrest warrant was being prepared. He was declared Danny Croteau's killer on May 24, 2021.
Another crime Lavigne possibly committed was the murder of Danny Croteau, who was -- at the very least -- yet another victim of Lavigne's sexual perversions. Committed early in Lavigne's criminal career, the Croteau murder was followed by a bungled investigation and a Church-sponsored cover-up that allowed Lavigne to shatter many more lives. Author Fleming thus ties Lavigne's story into the larger, even more enraging story of the Catholic Church's deliberate efforts to protect and enable paedophile priests via cover-ups, transfers, pay-offs and non-compliance with law enforcement. He reveals that Lavigne was merely a drop in the ocean as far as the story of institutionalised child abuse goes. And lest you think the problem was limited to church officials, there are several stories of parents who chose not to believe their children or even excused their abusers' actions. Imagine how lonely a priest's life must be, said one. Then when justice appeared to be catching up with Lavigne, congregants rallied to his defense and a surprise guilty plea saw him rewarded with a slap on the wrist. He immediately continued abusing children. Maddening.
For what it's worth, Fleming does a lot to pour cold water on the notion that Lavigne murdered Danny Croteau, despite Lavigne's suspicious behaviour following the boy's death. He introduces a number of other suspects who, as probable abusers of Croteau, also had motive to silence the teenager. That Croteau might have been using the abuse he suffered as leverage to get hush money from several men is another allegation that Fleming uncovers. Yet like the recently published Evil at Lake Seminole: The Shocking True Story Surrounding the Disappearance of Mike Williams , Death of an Altar Boy's conclusion -- that Lavigne probably wasn't a murderer -- may have been trumped by recent events. Lavigne contracted COVID-19 in 2021 and died in May, having apparently made a series of deathbed admissions. Hours before his death, an arrest warrant was being prepared. He was declared Danny Croteau's killer on May 24, 2021.
January 1, 2019
A stunning and disturbing account.
July 13, 2022
Completely disturbed by how easily this added fuel to my true crime fire. I'm sad right now and need some chocolate. Maybe some wine. Also, don't judge me when I magically jump into another true crime book.
Read
May 20, 2018Stunning material, just stunning. I cannot believe how much of this behavior was tolerated and pushed aside, while those who followed and trusted in the church were no more than pawns. I cannot be very articulate right this minute as it is still a fresh wound after reading it. It may be that my view of these Men of God were men we knew of by my self and my peers. There is a reference to one priest and they have his name wrong, this I know because he was such a letch as a young man (prior to entering the church)that when his story broke I said to my mom "big surprise" sarcastically.I don't know, I just wanted to get something on for a comment, I hope to make better sense of this soon and rewrite a more coherent and telling thought about the book.
May 30, 2018
This was my childhood. Danny was my neighbor, his sister and brother remained my friends. The Sixteen Acers community KNOW Lavigne killed Danny.
I was still shocked to learn priests (O’Neil & Gonet) that came to serve at St. Catherine’s after Lavigne was transferred knew of his past as well and also kept the secrets. The depth of abuse in Massachusetts and our lawmakers and church officials let it continue. I hope their all in hell.
I was still shocked to learn priests (O’Neil & Gonet) that came to serve at St. Catherine’s after Lavigne was transferred knew of his past as well and also kept the secrets. The depth of abuse in Massachusetts and our lawmakers and church officials let it continue. I hope their all in hell.
May 26, 2021
Startling just how much the Vatican knew of issues and the level it went to cover up.
May 13, 2018
A good narration of the horrendous abuses committed to children by Catholic priests and then the abuses by the church covering up and denying these crimes. I still cannot believe Pope JPII gave Bernie Law a promotion instead of sending him to prison when he was about to be revealed as an abuser. There was a lot of repeated info though to fill out the book. The reader only needs to read it once, not three times, in order for the point to be taken.
November 29, 2018
This book has to be one of the most heart breaking stories I have read.
January 20, 2019
Very disturbing read
Well researched and written. I grew up in western Massachusetts as a Catholic and am aware of some the priests mentioned in the book. Honestly I don't know how anyone can remain a Catholic after knowing how deep this behavior goes back and how it was covered up all the way to the Vatican. Author clearly highlights the massive cover up of abuse by the demonic priests of the Catholic church.
Well researched and written. I grew up in western Massachusetts as a Catholic and am aware of some the priests mentioned in the book. Honestly I don't know how anyone can remain a Catholic after knowing how deep this behavior goes back and how it was covered up all the way to the Vatican. Author clearly highlights the massive cover up of abuse by the demonic priests of the Catholic church.
December 20, 2022
How horrendous that there were so many abusers and so many people who covered up hideous crimes that I couldn't keep them all straight. No real surprises here, but this book helps show the magnitude of the tragedies focusing on one particular geographic area - one nauseating event after another with plenty of people who ASSISTED by doing nothing.
August 28, 2020
Disjointed and poorly constructed, it reads like a series of bullet points. I don't have a problem with rants against religion, I do have a problem with poorly written books.
April 27, 2021
Well researched and well written book about a very disturbing topic.
January 24, 2021
(NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).
Horrific! Horrific! Horrific! This account of the probable murder of a teenager by his Priest is horrible enough. But the bigger picture of Priestly abuse is even more nauseating. A few quotes:
By 2014, Rome claimed there were 3,973 abuser priests. The identities of almost half (43 percent) were kept secret. (199)
Between 2007 and 2014, more than three million members fled the Church in the U.S. alone, 10 percent of the roll and more than was gained from worldwide conversions. There is a more telling statistic—more than a third of American adults were raised Catholic, but 41 percent no longer identify with the faith.
Beyond intransigence and obstinacy, the Vatican is obnoxiously duplicitous. (200)
Pope John Paul II’s handling of Boston’s disgraced Cardinal Law is but one appalling example. Hours before Law was to be indicted on multiple abuse charges with news trucks and reporters surrounding his chancery, John Paul arranged for Law to escape in the dead of night and be flown by private jet to the Vatican. Once the legally immune Law arrived, John Paul awarded him the plum position of archpriest of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. (200)
The U.S. Church is no less ruined. By 2014, more than three billion dollars had been paid to settle thousands of suits. Boston paid $150,000,000, Los Angeles, $750,000,000, and by 2017, there were 450 cases still to be settled. In New York, the Church was forced to borrow $100,000,000 to fund settlements, and cases bankrupted dioceses in Spokane, Davenport, San Diego, Tucson, and elsewhere. The loss hit the Church’s lighter pocketbooks hardest. Belleville, Illinois, paid four million dollars, an immense sum for a small diocese. Settlements and plunging donations left thousands of other dioceses in financial collapse, forced to sell valuable real estate holdings, slash service programs, and even borrow money just for day-to-day obligations. Considering the cost, the faithful’s belated response is surprising. By the late 1980s, the crisis in the Church was broadly acknowledged. There was no measurable reaction. The crisis blew up twice more during the 1990s. Still nothing. Catholic uproar of any consequence did not occur until 2002. By then, 700 priests had been removed—350 in 2002 alone—and 10,677 victims had accused 4,392 clerics. By 2012 that tally was 17,249 victims and 6,427 priests, a staggering 5.9 percent of all priests ordained between 1950 and 2002.
(200–201)
Even so, as late as the 2010s, the diocese still maintained it was in the dark about Lavigne until 1986, … The diocese doubled down, maintaining “adamantly they knew nothing” about Lavigne until his arrest in 1991.14 Every utterance from the diocese over the course of four decades was false. … “It wasn’t [just] the Church that knew it. Everybody knew it. The district attorney knew it, police knew it. Everybody knew there were rumors about it. But nobody took action.” (204)
The decades-long obstinacy is astonishing, given that the diocese paid three million dollars during the 1990s, $7,700,000 in 2004, another $4,500,000 in 2008. As late as 2016, settlements were still being negotiated. Final costs are expected to top $35,000,000. The financial hit forced the diocese to completely reorganize, sell hundreds of valuable real estate parcels, and shutter or substantially alter half its parishes. McDonnell blamed the parishes, saying that “parish debt” had caused the shortfall. Tens of thousands of area Catholics left the Church. (205)
Horrific! Horrific! Horrific! This account of the probable murder of a teenager by his Priest is horrible enough. But the bigger picture of Priestly abuse is even more nauseating. A few quotes:
By 2014, Rome claimed there were 3,973 abuser priests. The identities of almost half (43 percent) were kept secret. (199)
Between 2007 and 2014, more than three million members fled the Church in the U.S. alone, 10 percent of the roll and more than was gained from worldwide conversions. There is a more telling statistic—more than a third of American adults were raised Catholic, but 41 percent no longer identify with the faith.
Beyond intransigence and obstinacy, the Vatican is obnoxiously duplicitous. (200)
Pope John Paul II’s handling of Boston’s disgraced Cardinal Law is but one appalling example. Hours before Law was to be indicted on multiple abuse charges with news trucks and reporters surrounding his chancery, John Paul arranged for Law to escape in the dead of night and be flown by private jet to the Vatican. Once the legally immune Law arrived, John Paul awarded him the plum position of archpriest of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. (200)
The U.S. Church is no less ruined. By 2014, more than three billion dollars had been paid to settle thousands of suits. Boston paid $150,000,000, Los Angeles, $750,000,000, and by 2017, there were 450 cases still to be settled. In New York, the Church was forced to borrow $100,000,000 to fund settlements, and cases bankrupted dioceses in Spokane, Davenport, San Diego, Tucson, and elsewhere. The loss hit the Church’s lighter pocketbooks hardest. Belleville, Illinois, paid four million dollars, an immense sum for a small diocese. Settlements and plunging donations left thousands of other dioceses in financial collapse, forced to sell valuable real estate holdings, slash service programs, and even borrow money just for day-to-day obligations. Considering the cost, the faithful’s belated response is surprising. By the late 1980s, the crisis in the Church was broadly acknowledged. There was no measurable reaction. The crisis blew up twice more during the 1990s. Still nothing. Catholic uproar of any consequence did not occur until 2002. By then, 700 priests had been removed—350 in 2002 alone—and 10,677 victims had accused 4,392 clerics. By 2012 that tally was 17,249 victims and 6,427 priests, a staggering 5.9 percent of all priests ordained between 1950 and 2002.
(200–201)
Even so, as late as the 2010s, the diocese still maintained it was in the dark about Lavigne until 1986, … The diocese doubled down, maintaining “adamantly they knew nothing” about Lavigne until his arrest in 1991.14 Every utterance from the diocese over the course of four decades was false. … “It wasn’t [just] the Church that knew it. Everybody knew it. The district attorney knew it, police knew it. Everybody knew there were rumors about it. But nobody took action.” (204)
The decades-long obstinacy is astonishing, given that the diocese paid three million dollars during the 1990s, $7,700,000 in 2004, another $4,500,000 in 2008. As late as 2016, settlements were still being negotiated. Final costs are expected to top $35,000,000. The financial hit forced the diocese to completely reorganize, sell hundreds of valuable real estate parcels, and shutter or substantially alter half its parishes. McDonnell blamed the parishes, saying that “parish debt” had caused the shortfall. Tens of thousands of area Catholics left the Church. (205)
April 2, 2020
Pray for his prey.
Times were certainly different in the 60’s and 70’s and even in earlier and later years. Priests were pedestal-ized. I should know. I had an uncle who had been a priest before his death. When visiting my grandmother and in the middle of a conversation with her, as soon as priest-uncle entered the room, I and others, though we traveled over an hour to visit her, were forgotten. He was treated like a king.
Though I’m guessing/hoping not all priests fiddle(d) with kids, I have to question whether many go into the priesthood to mooch off others in other ways.
“Father” Lavigne already had a history of misconduct with kids before he went into seminary. Early in the ministry, he was moved around like a pawn when he was known to be suspect. The church knew and did nothing but move him around like a chess piece. Reminds me of the book I just finished about America’s once-beloved Cosby. His employees knew. And the book I finished before that one “A Death In White Bear Lake.” The husband and others knew. They kept silent.
I got through a bit more than halfway through this one but couldn’t continue reading/listening to the debauchery and mass (pun not really intended) coverup.
The writing might be worth more than 3 stars, however I couldn’t get through it.
July 19, 2022
I'm fascinated by the Catholic sex scandal which has been going on for years, only recently revealed. I've read several books by victims. It's rough. All the cover-ups and horrible terror and torture.
Don't get me wrong. Every denomination and faith based organization has something hidden somewhere. The larger they are, the more easily one of them has someone who has fallen in this way. It just amazes me how such a huge scandal can be covered up for so long, cops took part, and the priests were just "relocated" and not brought out. So many lives ruined by decades of torture with no consequences. Doesn't seem like something Jesus would do or support!
This is not a bash at all catholicism or all catholic churches. But this particular scandal impacted and broke so many kids. And they got away with it because of money, size, and power.
I didn't find this particular book to be as powerful as some of the ones written by victims, but it does dig into more detail.
Don't get me wrong. Every denomination and faith based organization has something hidden somewhere. The larger they are, the more easily one of them has someone who has fallen in this way. It just amazes me how such a huge scandal can be covered up for so long, cops took part, and the priests were just "relocated" and not brought out. So many lives ruined by decades of torture with no consequences. Doesn't seem like something Jesus would do or support!
This is not a bash at all catholicism or all catholic churches. But this particular scandal impacted and broke so many kids. And they got away with it because of money, size, and power.
I didn't find this particular book to be as powerful as some of the ones written by victims, but it does dig into more detail.
September 10, 2021
I found this book on Audible Plus, so I gave it a listen. I had just recently watched a documentary on Netflix about the murder of a nun and the abuse of girls by Catholic priests in a school. I also remember all of the headlines over the years about abuse in the church, and I thought this book would be interesting, and also tragic. It is so disgusting how people take advantage of other people, especially children. This book covered the death of a thirteen year old boy, Danny Croteau, and the strong likelihood that one particular priest was the culprit in his death. It is just horrible how people that should be trusted are miscreants. This was a decent book.
May 25, 2022
Most people now know about the many stories of sexual abuse linked to the Catholic church. This book is still shocking - I audibly gasped several times. Abuse was rife, but the unconscionable decisions by senior clergy were worse, and caused continuing trauma to many children. Were they simply trying to protect the church from terrible scandal? Yes, the children were given no thought at all. This went all the way to the top. Those poor children had their lives ruined before they began, and some took their own lives as adults. Thirteen year old Danny's life was brutally taken from him, but his family would not get justice. Do brace yourself before reading...
May 2, 2024
You'll get a better story from "Hell's Acers dot Blog dot Com". Careful though, the purpose of the blog developed from Danny's Death and the guy is still collecting information on unsolved crimes. Good blog though. Hat's off to him.
Only skimmed the book closely. Some of that blog is in the book without attribution.
Knows cause I was there then, page 21 "strong as an ox" me.
Over all fair telling, but some facts are comingled. Liked the blog better.
BTW Father Lavigne confessed on his death bed.
Only skimmed the book closely. Some of that blog is in the book without attribution.
Knows cause I was there then, page 21 "strong as an ox" me.
Over all fair telling, but some facts are comingled. Liked the blog better.
BTW Father Lavigne confessed on his death bed.
May 13, 2021
First off, the statistics in this book were horrific. I was an altar girl when I was about 11 and my brother-in-law was an altar boy when he was young, and knowing what it is like to do the job and the trust you give your priest, that these children lived through what they did is so heart breaking. Someone in that position of trust and for how the church responded to it was devastating. Definitely a good, though depressing, read.
May 15, 2020
It makes me so angry with all the adults and specifically the Catholic Church and all of those who covered up this horrible tragedy and bungled the investigation. I went to the same grammar school as the victim, but was years ahead of him.
The book was very descriptive, however the editing and spell check left a lot to be desired.
The book was very descriptive, however the editing and spell check left a lot to be desired.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2021
Disturbing, enraging and heartbreaking, this is a well-researched account of the systematic abuse that priests inflicted (and probably keep inflicting) on kids, kids who should have been protected by the Church and, instead, were victimized once and again by them.
So many lives destroyed... my only hope is those guilty of such heinous crimes will rot in hell.
So many lives destroyed... my only hope is those guilty of such heinous crimes will rot in hell.
June 28, 2023
A heartbreaking tale of one boys murder and countless other victims of one priest in Massachusetts. This book dives deep into the history of the Catholic Church’s abuse as well as the means and methods they used to shuffle abusive priests around. A horrific story about corrupt men that use their positions of power to do evil.
June 1, 2018
Compelling story, but a flawed telling
I did not know the story. It is a gripping. The thorough background information helps support the narrative.
The editors were sloppy. Some misspellings and simple factual errors were often in the kindle version.
I did not know the story. It is a gripping. The thorough background information helps support the narrative.
The editors were sloppy. Some misspellings and simple factual errors were often in the kindle version.
April 4, 2019
Very emotionally charged and important in today’s culture of narcissism. I was impressed the author had done such thorough research and documentation for the book, which added to its credibility.
So many decades lost in the coverup!
So many decades lost in the coverup!
abandoned
August 13, 2020I was very interested to read this book, knowing something of the area where the events took place, but the story is so disturbing and depressing, I don't want to read any more of it. That poor kid; my condolences to his family.
March 17, 2021
This book moved me and angered me. This book puts a face to the story of sexual abuse in The Catholic Church. This humanizes an issue which is still a problem, but the problem deals with real people, real feelings.
January 21, 2022
That was a hard read but no one would say it is not a very hard subject. I feel such empathy for the families but understanding as to why they would have never thought something like this could happen with someone they trusted. Good job Chicago being so open with accused persons.
January 11, 2024
Very informative. I enjoyed how each chapter led you down a path of facts, converging at the end to another person’s life. The topic was difficult read, but I would consider this necessary to anyone living in New England or wanting to learn more about the Catholic Church.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews