A body found in Lincoln, Massachusetts, is believed by law enforcement sources to be that of Stephen Rakes, a key witness in the on-going trial of James 'Whitey' Bulger.
The stunning development comes before Rakes was supposed to testify that Bulger, 83, threatened his daughter at gunpoint in an effort to force him to tu over his South Boston liquor store as a headquarters for the notorious mobster.
Police are believed to have told Rakes' realtives that the death appeared to be a suicide. However, a source close to the family said that 'he had no phone, no wallet and police are still looking for his car.'
Sources told ABC News, that his fingerprints positively identified him as Rakes - although no official announcement has been made yet.
Federal prosecutors confirmed Rakes was supposed to testify that Bulger and associate Stephen Flemmi threatened his daughter at gunpoint and forced him to tu over his South Boston liquor store to become Bulger's headquarters.
Bulger's right-hand man, Kevin Weeks testified last week Rakes' expected upcoming testimony that Bulger's gang put a gun to his daughter's head was bogus.
Weeks, who was a close associate of Bulger's for two decades, later became a govement witness and eventually led authorities to the bodies of people who were allegedly killed by Bulger and the gang.
Testimony: Stephen Rakes smiles after greeting an acquaintance outside the liquor store he once owned in the South Boston neighborhood of Boston, Thursday, June 6th, 2013
He served five years in prison after pleading guilty to being an accessory to five murders.
Bulger stared straight ahead during much of Weeks' testimony and only glanced at him occasionally.
Weeks also described how Bulger acquired a liquor store in South Boston.
James 'Whitey' Bulger: He was one of the nation's most wanted fugitives after he fled Boston in 1994. He was finally captured two years ago in Santa Monica, Califoia and faces 32 counts, including 19 murder charges
Prosecutors say Bulger forced Stephen Rakes to sell his liquor store to him in 1984 to use as a headquarters for his gang and as a source of ‘legitimate’ income.
Weeks denied that the gang forced Rakes to sell the store, saying Rakes had agreed with an offer from Bulger to buy the store for $100,000
He said when they arrived at Rakes' house to close the deal, Rakes said his wife didn't want to sell the store and complained about the selling price.
‘He was trying to shake us down,’ Weeks said.
At the time, Rakes' two young daughters were in the room and Bulger was bouncing one of the girls on his lap, Weeks said.
He said he pulled a gun out of his waistband and put it on the table. The girl on Bulger's lap reached for the gun, Weeks said. Bulger then told him to put it away.
Weeks said Bulger told Rakes he couldn't back out of the sale.
‘At that point, we went through with the deal,’ he said.
‘We didn't go to him to buy the store. He came to us. It wasn't your regular extortion,’ Weeks said.
Rakes, who was in the courtroom for Weeks' testimony, later disputed his account and said he was forced to sell his store to Bulger.
‘Kevin continues to lie, as usual, because that's what he has to do,’ he said.
‘My liquor store was never for sale - never, never, never.’
Surveillance shot: This undated surveillance photo released Monday, July 8, 2013 by the U.S. Attoey's office at federal court in Boston shows James 'Whitey' Bulger, left, with his former right hand man, Kevin Weeks
In addition to the slayings of Halloran and Donahue, Weeks has testified previously that he was present for three other killings committed by Bulger.
Bulger, 83, is accused of playing a role in 19 killings while allegedly leading the Winter Hill Gang. He has pleaded not guilty.
Bulger fled Boston in 1994 and was one of the nation's most wanted fugitives until he was captured in Santa Monica, Califoia, in 2011.
Changing sides: Weeks, right, who was a close associate of Bulger's for two decades, later became a govement witness and eventually led authorities to the bodies of people who were allegedly killed by Bulger and the gang
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