James Riva Signed Letter & Photo

This original handwritten letter and signed photograph were sent by convicted killer James Riva from the Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Dated June 4, 2021, the multi-page letter offers a rare and personal glimpse into Riva’s life behind bars, discussing daily prison conditions, medication, exercise, artwork, and correspondence. Written entirely in blue ink and signed at the conclusion, the letter reflects the often fragmented and deeply personal thoughts of one of Massachusetts’ most notorious inmates. Accompanying the letter is an original signed snapshot photograph of Riva taken inside the correctional facility. The image shows him standing in prison-issued clothing and serves as an unusual and highly collectible companion piece to the handwritten correspondence. James Riva became infamous for the brutal 1980 murder of his grandmother, a crime he claimed was influenced by delusions involving vampires and supernatural forces. His case remains one of the most disturbing and widely discussed criminal cases in Massachusetts history. A rare and authentic pairing of handwritten correspondence and signed inmate photography, this piece is a significant addition for collectors of true crime, prison memorabilia, and criminal history artifacts. COA included