Murder of Kristin Lardner

On May 30, 1992, 21-year-old Kristin Lardner was fatally shot in Boston, Massachusetts. The shooting was carried out by her ex-boyfriend, Michael Cartier, who then killed himself. The case has also been referred to as the Brookline murder.

According to available reporting, Lardner had obtained a restraining order against Cartier prior to the killing. Cartier stalked her before shooting her and then turning the gun on himself, ending the case without a criminal prosecution.

Cartier was described as a punk rock enthusiast and a nightclub bouncer characterized as having "a short fuse." A month before the killing of Lardner, he had reportedly attempted to attack musician Kathleen Hanna of the band Bikini Kill during a show.

In the aftermath of his daughter's death, Kristin Lardner's father, George Lardner, investigated the circumstances of the case, including how the restraining order and prior warning signs were handled. He subsequently wrote a book, titled "The Stalking of Kristin: A Father Investigates the Murder of His Daughter," which examined the events leading up to her death. The book was recognized with a Pulitzer Prize.

Because the perpetrator died by suicide at the scene, there was no trial or conviction associated with the case; the matter is considered closed due to the death of the sole identified perpetrator. No other individuals have been named as charged or convicted in connection with the killing.

This case has drawn attention in discussions of domestic violence, stalking, and the effectiveness of restraining orders in protecting victims, particularly given that Lardner had already sought legal protection from Cartier before her death.