MA - 16-year old girl killed by stepfather in murder-suicide after he was accused of sexually-assaulting her - June 1, 2024

[Clearsky]

Girl, 16, Kidnapped and Killed by Stepfather in Apparent Murder-Suicide: Police

A teenager was killed by her stepfather in Massachusetts in an apparent murder-suicide, authorities said.

people.com

According to a joint statement released by Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and Acton Chief of Police James Cogan on Thursday, May 30, an unnamed 16-year-old girl and her stepfather Juliano Santana were found dead of apparent gunshot wounds in Santana's vehicle this week.

 

[tlcya]

On Sept. 7, 2021, Christina told authorities Santana had raped her on multiple occasions. Boston affiliate WBTS obtained an arrest affidavit that said one of the assaults occurred as recently as the month before. Christina and her sister had written to each other about the assault in a diary, the affidavit reportedly said. In an interview with investigators, Christina reportedly said Santana told her “not to be scared and not to tell her mom.”
[snip]
Santana’s rape trial was scheduled for July.
Man on bond for raping 16-year-old stepdaughter kidnapped, murdered her, then killed self: Cops

“This is an issue writ large in the system that these cases are not prioritized. There are not enough district attorneys, there are not enough lawyers to lawyer the cases and the cases are pushed,” Lindauer said. “As far as we know the mother did everything she could to protect her children, and it wasn't enough. And that is something the Massachusetts system has to take responsibility for.”

Professor Lindauer added that this tragic case could serve as a chance to revisit our domestic violence and sexual assault laws, including whether people can be held without bail for child rape charges.
Court docs reveal failed attempts to keep Acton victim safe from abuser