Stephen Rakes , 59 , is found dead in a Boston-area town . Rakes recently was dropped from a list of potential witnesses against James ` Whitey Bulger who has been charged with murder and racketeering for his role as the head of Boston's Winter Hill Gang during the 1970s. He had no obvious signs of trauma ; police are investigating , DA 's office says . Bulger is charged in the deaths of 19 people during some two decades when prosecutors say he terrorized South Boston as the head of the Irish mob . Rakes had alleged Bulger , a reputed former Boston mob boss , took his store from him .
Stephen Rakes , 59 , is found dead in a Boston-area town . Rakes recently was dropped from a list of potential witnesses against James ` Whitey Bulger who has been charged with murder and racketeering for his role as the head of Boston's Winter Hill Gang during the 1970s. He had no obvious signs of trauma ; police are investigating , DA 's office says . Rakes had alleged Bulger , a reputed former Boston mob boss , took his store from him .