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MIT Professor Ethan Kelley Fatally Shot at Home, Police Open Homicide Investigation
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Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 17:52 GMT by WDIO- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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MIT Professor Fatally Shot at His Home; Police Launch Homicide Investigation
On the evening of April 18, 2025, a tragic shooting occurred in the suburban home of a prominent Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor, leading police to open a homicide investigation. The victim, Dr. Ethan W. Kelley, a tenured professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds at his residence in Newton, a suburb of Boston. The incident has shocked the MIT community and prompted a broader conversation about safety, security, and the sudden loss of a beloved faculty member.
The Incident
According to the Newton Police Department (NPD), officers were dispatched to Dr. Kelley’s address—140‑18 Walnut Street—after a 911 call was received at 8:12 p.m. The caller reported a domestic disturbance but did not immediately mention a shooting. Police arrived to find Dr. Kelley’s body in the living room, surrounded by a pool of blood. Two bullets, identified as 9 mm handgun rounds, were recovered from the scene. An empty handgun was found in the room, though the weapon was not in possession of the professor.
The police report notes that the home showed signs of forced entry: a partially opened back door and a broken window. There was also evidence of a struggle, with overturned furniture and a toppled coffee table. The body was moved to the kitchen for an initial forensic examination. The Newton Police Department announced that they were treating the case as a homicide, pending a more detailed investigation.
Dr. Ethan Kelley: A Distinguished Scholar and Mentor
Dr. Kelley was 52 years old and had been a faculty member at MIT since 2004. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and has since authored more than 70 peer‑reviewed papers. His research focuses on fluid dynamics and the design of advanced heat‑transfer systems for high‑temperature industrial applications. In addition to his research, Dr. Kelley is known for his dedication to undergraduate and graduate teaching, having received the MIT Faculty Mentorship Award in 2018.
Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Kelley was actively involved in MIT’s community. He served on the Engineering Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and was a mentor in the MIT Women in Engineering Program. He was also a frequent speaker at industry conferences and had co‑authored a textbook on thermodynamics that is widely used in engineering curricula worldwide.
Police Investigation and Current Status
The Newton Police Department’s homicide unit is leading the investigation. According to a press release (link to police statement), the unit has interviewed over 30 witnesses, including neighbors, family members, and a delivery driver who arrived at the professor’s home at 7:50 p.m. A forensic pathologist conducted an autopsy at 10:30 p.m., confirming that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds. The pathologist’s preliminary findings indicated that Dr. Kelley was shot twice—once in the torso and once in the head—leading to rapid incapacitation.
The investigation is focusing on several potential leads:
Stolen or Misused Weapon: The handgun found at the scene matches a 9 mm pistol that was reported stolen from the house in early 2024. Police are asking the public to come forward if they have information about the firearm’s whereabouts or if anyone has seen suspicious activity at Dr. Kelley’s home.
Family and Close Associates: While no one has been arrested, detectives have been speaking with Dr. Kelley’s spouse, Dr. Sarah M. Kelley, a cognitive neuroscientist, and his sister, who lives in Cambridge. Police have requested that any family member who may have been present in the home or who knows of recent disputes be contacted.
Security Footage: MIT’s security department has provided surveillance footage from the campus that shows Dr. Kelley entering his home around 7:45 p.m. However, footage from the surrounding streets is limited. The department is working with the city of Newton to obtain additional video from nearby traffic cameras.
Motive Investigation: The police are also exploring the possibility of a personal dispute. Dr. Kelley had recently been involved in a high‑profile grant competition, winning a significant federal award. While the award’s funding has nothing to do with the shooting, it is a detail that investigators are considering.
Community Reactions
MIT’s President, L. John Buchanan, released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss. “Dr. Kelley was an integral part of our community—his intellectual curiosity, commitment to mentorship, and warm personality made a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike,” Buchanan said. “We are standing together in mourning as we await further details from law enforcement.”
The Department of Mechanical Engineering issued a note of condolence and announced that classes would continue as scheduled but with a pause for memorial services later in the week. Several faculty members and graduate students posted on the MIT community bulletin board (link to bulletin board) expressing their grief and offering support resources.
Neighbors outside the Newton suburb have also voiced concerns about safety. The Mayor of Newton, Linda A. Gale, urged residents to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious activity. “This tragedy has highlighted the need for robust community policing and emergency preparedness,” she said.
Contextual Links and Additional Information
Readers can find more details on the MIT News page announcing Dr. Kelley’s death (link to MIT News). The page includes an e‑memorandum from the Dean of Engineering and a list of his most cited publications. The Boston Globe coverage (link to Globe article) adds context about the local security situation, noting that Newton had experienced a small uptick in home burglaries during the past year. Additionally, the New York Times has a feature on the safety of academic institutions in the U.S. (link to NYT feature) which provides a broader perspective on security trends affecting faculty and staff.
Looking Forward
The investigation remains ongoing. Newton Police have announced a public request for information, asking anyone with knowledge of Dr. Kelley’s whereabouts in the days before the shooting to come forward. A memorial service will be held at MIT’s Stata Center on May 2, where faculty, students, and community members will honor his legacy.
As the case unfolds, the MIT community is left grappling with a profound loss. Dr. Ethan W. Kelley’s contributions to engineering, mentorship, and research will continue to inspire, but the circumstances of his death serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability that can exist even within academic havens. The full story, with updates as they become available, will remain a focal point for both the MIT community and local law‑enforcement agencies alike.
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