NewsABC7 News San Francisco (KGO-TV)October 24, 2026San Francisco County
Douglas Herlihy pleads guilty to manslaughter in the 2003 cold case killing of his father Paul Herlihy
Photo: ABC7 News San Francisco (KGO-TV)
Douglas Herlihy pleaded guilty to manslaughter and attempted falsification of physical evidence in connection with the 2003 beating death of his father, Paul Herlihy. Under a plea agreement subject to court approval, Herlihy faces 12 to 24 years in state prison, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for early 2027.
Read the full story at ABC7 News San Francisco (KGO-TV)Why It Matters
A decades-old homicide case is moving toward final resolution through a negotiated prison sentence of 12 to 24 years, closing an investigation stemming from events in 2003.
Key Facts
- Douglas Herlihy pleaded guilty to manslaughter and attempted falsification of physical evidence on Wednesday.
- The plea agreement includes a proposed sentence of 12 to 24 years in New Hampshire State Prison for manslaughter.
- A second sentence of three and a half to seven years for attempted falsification of physical evidence will be suspended for 20 years under the agreement.
- Remaining counts, including second-degree murder, will be dismissed as part of the plea deal.
- A sentencing hearing for Douglas Herlihy is scheduled for early 2027.
- Paul Herlihy was beaten to death with a baseball bat in his Milford residence between August 23, 2003, and August 27, 2003.
- Investigators set up a recorded call between Douglas Herlihy and his brother in May 2025, which revealed inconsistencies in his story.
- Douglas Herlihy was 17 years old at the time of the 2003 killing and is 40 years old now.
- Milford Police discovered Paul Herlihy's body wrapped in a carpet and covered by a blue tarp during an August 27, 2003, welfare check.
- An autopsy determined Paul Herlihy died from blunt force trauma resulting in a broken nose, jaw fracture, and basal skull fractures.
- Douglas Herlihy was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in June 2025.
Who's Mentioned
PersonChristopher Knowles“Chief of the New Hampshire Attorney General's Cold Case Unit.”PersonAndrew Herlihy“Brother of Douglas Herlihy who participated in a recorded phone call.”OrganizationNew Hampshire State Prison“Facility where Herlihy faces a 12-to-24-year sentence.”OrganizationABC News“Media organization that received the arrest affidavit.”PersonDouglas Herlihy“Defendant who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in his father's death.”OrganizationWMUR“Media outlet that reported statements from the court hearing.”OrganizationMilford Police Department“Local police department involved in initial arrests and the subsequent welfare c”locationMilford“Town where the victim's residence was located and where police and court proceed”PersonJohn Formella“New Hampshire Attorney General.”PersonPaul Herlihy“Victim killed in 2003.”OrganizationMilford District Court“Court where Douglas Herlihy previously pled guilty to a car theft charge.”