1991. Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

On a bitter February night in 1991, the quiet of a Portsmouth neighborhood was shattered when flames erupted from a neighbor’s home. By the time the fire was under control, two beloved members of the community were dead.

Stella Bolton, 68, and James "JJ" Moore, 73, were familiar and well-loved faces around the Seacoast area. They were longtime friends who shared a simple, quiet life.

But investigators soon discovered that the fire was only part of the story.

Stella and JJ had been killed before the flames consumed their home. What initially appeared to be a devastating house fire was now a double homicide—and someone had gone to extraordinary lengths to hide what they had done.

As investigators began piecing together those final hours, questions piled up. Who would want Stella and JJ dead? Why were they targeted? And could the person responsible have been someone they knew?

But Portsmouth detectives have never given up hope. They believe the answers may still be out there, held by someone who remembers what happened-and they remain determined to uncover the truth and bring justice to Stella and JJ.

• Seacoast Crime Stoppers is offering at $20,000.00 reward for any information about this case that leads to an indictment or an arrest. If you have any information, please contact Detective Rochelle Jones (603) 610-7503 or Seacoast Crimestoppers at (603) 431-1199 to remain anonymous.
• You can also submit a tip online to Seacoast Crimestoppers.

Episode sources and photos: https://murdershetold.com/episodes/stella-bolton-james-moore

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