Police confirmed Thursday morning that a body found in Lincoln, MA is likely that of Stephen ‘Stippo’ Rakes, a key witness in the on-going Whitey Bulger trial.

The body was found near a walking path on Mill Road early this morning.

Rakes was set to testify against the infamous mob boss against allegations that Whitey gunned his daughter down at Rakes’ South Boston liquor store and forced him to turn it over. Bulger then allegedly converted the store into his headquarters. During his testimony last week, however, Kevin Weeks stated that these accusations were “bogus” and that Whitey’s gang never put a gun to the daughter’s head.

Sources say the body was positively identified as Rakes after a fingerprint analysis this morning. Police have also reportedly told the Rakes family that his death appeared to be a suicide, but some family members aren’t buying it. ABC news reported that a source said “[Rakes] had no phone, no wallet, and police are still looking for his car.”

Steve Davis, a longtime friend of Rakes, said that he last saw him in court on Tuesday and that Rakes did not show up for their usual pre-court morning breakfast on Wednesday. Davis’ sister Debbie was allegedly another Bulger victim. He told ABC:

“Stippo would not kill himself. Absolutely not. He was looking forward to taking the stand. He told me over and over he had a big bombshell to drop. He had everything to live for and was looking forward to his day in court.”

Federal prosecutors reportedly have “no comment” on the death investigation.

In other Whitey-related news: Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi is scheduled to testify against Bulger today. Though they allegedly ran the Winter Hall Gang together for decades, the two have not seen each other in eighteen years. Given the trend of ex-Whitey comrades and Rakes’ death, this is sure to be a dramatic, profanity-riddled day at the courthouse.