A Murder in Wellesley: The Inside Story of an Ivy-League Doctor’s Double Life, His Slain Wife, and the Trial That Gripped the Nation

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Dirk and May Greineder wed in 1968 and had what others thought the perfect marriage and family. Mark Garfinkel, Boston Herald May had tried to rekindle her relationship with Dirk, but he was deep into a secret life of phone sex, Internet porn, prostitutes, and swingers. Investigation photo Hours after telling police he had found May horribly murdered, Dirk was oddly composed as he volunteered his bloodstained clothing and sneakers, which would yield incriminating evidence against him. Investigation photo top The folding knife Dirk used to kill May was found by investigators within hours of the murder. Investigation photo bottom Blood spatter found on Dirk’s white Reebok sneakers showed that he had been within “inches or feet’’ of May when she was killed, and proved to be a critical piece of evidence in convincing the jury to convict him. Investigation photo The distinctive dotted brown work gloves worn by Dirk to keep his hands free of blood could be found only at Diehl’s Hardware in Wellesley. The gloves provided investigators with incriminating DNA evidence against him. Investigation photo Dr. Greineder refused to turn over his eyeglasses, but photographs coaxed by Sgt. Marty Foley would clearly show the bloody swipe on the left lens left by the distinctive dimpled work gloves he wore when he killed May. Investigation photo Sgt. Marty Foley leads Dr. Greineder to his Dedham Superior Court arraignment on March 1, 2000, after working for four months to expose the evil he perpetrated on May. Matt Stone, Boston Herald Wellesley Detective Jill McDermott, suddenly thrust into her first murder investigation, partnered with Marty Foley to expose Dr. Greineder’s lies. Courtesy of Jill McDermott Judge Paul Chernoff presided over the Greineder case from pretrial proceedings through Dr. Greineder’s unsuccessful attempt to win a new trial following his conviction. Mark Garfinkel, Boston Herald Belinda Markel and Ilse Stark’s support of the case against Dr. Greineder caused irreparable estrangement from the Greineder family. Patrick Whittemore, Boston Herald Kirsten, Britt, and Colin Greineder were unconditionally behind their father for the entire trial no matter how distressing the testimony, and their support never wavered. Nancy Lane, Boston Herald Sgt. Marty Foley shows the jury the condoms discovered along with self-prescribed Viagra in Dr. Greineder’s garage during the second search of his home, which gave investigators the first indication of his sordid secret life. Patrick Whittemore, Boston Herald Prosecutor Rick Grundy shows the jury how Dr. Greineder used a folding knife and distinctive brown work gloves to kill May. Nancy Lane, Boston Herald Defense attorney Marty Murphy questions FBI analyst Lorie Gottesman about the Estwing two-pound hammer used in May’s murder. Gottesman’s testimony about food storage bags linked to the Greineder household would be far more damaging to Dr. Greineder. Ted Fitzgerald, Boston Herald Rick Grundy used every opportunity to show the jury the clean hands Dr. Greineder claimed he used to check May’s bloody wound and lift her bloody body, in contrast to his clothing, which was coated with her blood. Associated Press Dirk Greineder grimaces as jury foreman Stan Smith delivers the guilty verdict following six grueling weeks of sensational testimony. Patrick Whittemore, Boston Herald Jurors, the strain of the trial evident in their demeanor, discuss their verdict after a searing six-week experience none of them will ever forget. From left, Michael Paul, Jeffrey St. Armand, Jahon Jamali, Tony Najjar, Cheryl Nixon, Dr. William Giesecke, and Stan Smith. Ted Fitzgerald, Boston Herald After exposing Dirk Greineder’s guilt, there was nothing but profound sadness for Belinda Markel, Ilse Stark, Rick Grundy, and Marty Foley over May’s senseless killing. Ted Fitzgerald, Boston Herald Massachusetts Trial Court Officer Bill Weed handcuffs Dr. Greineder after a jury of his peers found him guilty of murdering May, sending him to prison for the rest of his life. Patrick Whittemore, Boston Herald ...