(NECN) - A law enforcement source tells NECN that the death of a man who was on the witness list in the trial of reputed mobster James "Whitey" Bulger is considered to be suspicious.
The Middlesex District Attorney's Office says Stephen Rakes was found dead Wednesday afternoon in Lincoln, Mass., and says there were no obvious signs of trauma. The office adds cause of death is pending autopsy results by the medical examiner.
Prosecutors say Rakes and his former wife were forced to sell Bulger their South Boston liquor store in 1984 to use as a headquarters for his gang and as a source of legitimate income.
But, another prosecution witness has testified that wasn't true, and it was unclear whether prosecutors would put Rakes on the stand.
Rakes had been attending the trial.
Stay with NECN as more details become available.
