Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni has urged the public to be wary of rumors about a potential serial killer being on the loose in New England as an investigation continues in Springfield after the discovery of a woman’s body earlier this week.

Authorities have identified the body of the woman discovered in an isolated area of the Western Massachusetts city as 45-year-old Meggan Meredith.

Gulluni’s office released Meredith’s identity and declared the investigation into her death a homicide on Friday, after the DA stated Thursday that fears of a potential serial killer on the loose in New England are so far unfounded.

The discovery of Meredith’s body in Springfield on Tuesday came while seven other bodies have been found elsewhere in the region since the start of March. People have speculated and raised concerns about the crimes on social media, with thousands joining Facebook groups dedicated to raising awareness of a potential serial killer.

“While online conversations around these incidents continue to grow, we urge the public to be mindful of the role that social media can play in spreading fear or misinformation,” Gulluni said in his statement on Thursday. “Unverified claims can compromise active investigations and contribute to a sense of chaos that does not reflect the full picture.”

Human remains, mostly of women, have also been recovered in Framingham and Plymouth. Elsewhere in New England, authorities are investigating bodies found in New Haven, Norwalk, Groton, and Killingly, Connecticut, and Foster, Rhode Island.

MassLive reported Thursday that speculation may also be stemming from the discovery of a 56-year-old West Springfield woman in the woods near Camp Angelina in Springfield in early January. Authorities determined the woman was murdered, while no arrests have been made.

“At this time, there is no indication that these incidents are connected to each other or are … part of a larger public safety threat,” Gulluni said in his statement. “We are actively working every lead and deploying every available resource.”

“We understand the unease that comes with such acts of violence,” the DA added, “and we want the community to know that each of these cases is being thoroughly investigated in close coordination with our law enforcement partners. Our hearts go out to the families who are grieving.”

In Salem, a man walking his dog found and reported a body in a wooded area behind a shopping center in the North Shore city on Wednesday. At the scene, responding officers discovered a second body. Both victims were identified as male.

Prosecutors said it appears both men were stabbed to death, with some blunt force trauma to the bodies, and autopsies will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

The suspect, Jay Blodget, 30, was arraigned on two counts of murder Thursday at Salem District Court and pleaded not guilty. Judge Randy Chapman ordered the defendant held without bail.