[This is an evolving story that will be updated.]
Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan announced this evening that Newton resident Christopher Ferguson, age 41, was arrested sometime after 7PM and charged with the murder of Gilda D’Amore in the triple homicide discovered on Sunday morning on Broadway in Nonantum. Further counts are pending positive identification and autopsy results on the other two victims confirming homicide as cause of death. Gilda D’Amore was confirmed to have over 30 injuries, including stab wounds, primarily to the upper part of her body.
DA Ryan indicated Ferguson had not been at large, and when asked how long he had been been hospitalized, she estimated for “a day and a half or so.” Ferguson was identified in a Sunday 5:20AM video obtained from an Albemarle Road residence and was recognizable as a long time resident by Newton Police officers. He was positively identified as a suspect by the crime lab through use of a bloody footprint match from the crime scene.
DA Ryan said that more information would come at the arraignment, which will be conducted at the Newton courthouse at a time yet to be determined. Included below are video of the press conference and the text of the District Attorney’s press release.
Here is text of DA Ryan’s press release:
NEWTON – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Newton Chief of Police John Carmichael have confirmed that Christopher Ferguson, 41 of Newton has been charged with murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and burglary in connection with the deaths of Gilda D’Amore, 73, her husband Bruno D’Amore, 74 and Mrs. D’Amore’s mother, Lucia Arpino, 97 who were attacked inside their Broadway Street home in Newton.
Yesterday at 10:14 a.m., a person known to the victims called 911 to report the victims were dead inside the home. She had gone to check on the victims after they did not arrive at church to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
The preliminary investigation indicated some signs of forced entry including broken glass and missing screens at the basement windows. Forensic specialists from the Massachusetts Crime Scene Section were immediately called to the scene and were able to collect a variety of forensic evidence.
As part of the investigation which began yesterday and continued today, investigators canvassed the neighborhood and were able to locate a video from Albemarle Road that depicted a male walking in that area, which is four-tenths of a mile from the victim’s home, at 5:20 a.m. on June 25.
That man was later identified as Christopher Ferguson.
Today, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death for Gilda D’Amore to be multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma. The autopsies of the other victims are expected to be conducted tomorrow and additional charges are possible.
Late this afternoon the lab was able to positively match a footprint left in the home to Mr. Ferguson. Footprints, like fingerprints, are unique.
His arraignment is expected to be scheduled for tomorrow at Newton District Court.
At this time this continues to appear to be a random act.
This remains an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office, Newton Police and the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Section. The prosecutor assigned to this case is Nicole Allain, the Victim Witness Advocate is Cheri MacDonald.
These charges are allegations and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
DA Ryan Press Release
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