In a shocking twist of events, not just one, but two prior deaths in the Monadnock region of N.H. have had evidence hidden during their investigations that not only majorly connected the cases, but also may have hidden the true reasonings behind why the tragedies occurred in the first place.
The first death was that of a man named Michael Carney, who was ruled to have been killed by justifiable self-defense in 2017. The second death also occurred in 2017, only a month later, when Keene Police Chief Brian Costa took his own life, having struggled with mental health, an all-too-common tragedy in police forces. While both cases were open and shut eight years ago, new evidence has come to light in the form of hidden relationship facts as well as deleted and concealed text messages that have shed some serious concern on the sanctity of justice and power in our state’s police departments.
According to an article by InDepthNH, it was revealed within these messages that the wife of Michael Carney, Nicole Carney, and Brian Costa had a detailed relationship before both the defensive shooting and Costa’s own tragedy. It was also revealed that Nicole Carney had discussed with Costa himself the prospect of defending herself in case of an altercation with her husband. A nine second phone call was then placed to Costa right after the shooting had occurred. All of this evidence was hidden during the initial investigations. Even Costa’s phone was reset to factory settings before being turned in as evidence.
For years Caryn Perkins, the sister of Michael Carney, has claimed she felt there was something off about the investigation of her brother’s death. Within the article Perkins stated her dissatisfaction with the case and her fears revolving around the ruling in her brother’s case. She rightfully is concerned, noting how the investigators hiding these important case facts and evidence is suspicious regardless of the content of said evidence. Perkins herself stated, “I do not trust their findings.”
Regardless if this new information coming to light changes the verdict of either case, she is right to have her doubts. Why was the evidence hidden in the first place? Would this not be considered an obstruction of justice by the members of the N.H. State Police who carried out the concealment? This turn of events has opened the door to a much broader conversation about the imbalance of power present in the police force, especially considering how close to home these revelations are.
Who knows how many other cases have endured similar treatment to both Carney’s and Costa’s? It took nearly eight years for all of this evidence to come to light. There could be hundreds more cases that may never receive this same enlightenment, all because those working for these police departments hold all of the power and access to said evidence. The people of N.H. should not have to fear whether or not investigations into the tragedies and crimes committed against their friends, families and loved ones are actually being carried out truthfully and with good intentions. No one should.
Kara Montagano can be contacted at
kmontagano@kscequinox.com
