MA - Barbara Hovey Novaes, 61, found dead in recycling container, Medford, May 23, 2022

[formerlyme]

Five weeks later, still not answers in Medford woman’s death

Barbara’s body was found inside a recycling bin behind her home.

www.boston25news.com

 

[SoBu]

Still no updates?

 

[waldojabba]

Still no updates?

I guess they still could be waiting for the "science". Might be a large back up for that info. I think once they get the tox etc they will anounce what they find but hard to say. I get the sense that LE still does not think it was random.

 

[carbuff]

Based on other cases around eastern MA, yeah, they're probably still waiting for the lab work. I wouldn't look for it before September at the earliest.

 

[bestill]

This is so strange that there are no updates.

 

[Rubes]

Welcome!

BBM - I agree about the little that has been released. And I know how loud our bins are here too. Do you think that is where their bins were stored? I thought maybe she was taken to the bin and left there. I am curious about when recycling would have been picked up too. Leaving her in her recycle bin seems to me to be a rush decision.

I agree with it seeming like a rush decision. She was sort of hidden but left on her own property, right up close to her house. Seems like there might have not been much forethought or perhaps they were interrupted by someone driving/walking by.

 

[formerlyme]

I am finding it so frustrating that so many cases are just out there with no arrests.

 

[bestill]

We still don't have a COD for Barbara do we?

 

[formerlyme]

We still don't have a COD for Barbara do we?

I have been able to locate any new info since maybe June.

 

[bestill]

I have been able to locate any new info since maybe June.

So weird!!

 

[carbuff]

Hopefully soon...but I'm not holding my breath. Long long waits for lab results in MA right now...

 

[themonk]

I used to live in the area. I cannot believe there has not been more progress on this case, at least publicly. That poor woman...

 

[themonk]

I still think about this death.

RIP Barbara

 

[sds71]

Death of Medford woman found in recycling bin ruled accidental, family does not accept ME’s finding

The Massachusetts Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the May 2022 death of 61-year-old Barbara Novaes was accidental, but her family is not accepting that finding.

www.boston25news.com

 

[Megnut]

Death of Medford woman found in recycling bin ruled accidental, family does not accept ME’s finding

The Massachusetts Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the May 2022 death of 61-year-old Barbara Novaes was accidental, but her family is not accepting that finding.

www.boston25news.com

That makes sense. Could've reached in to retrieve something and was unable to get out or call out ( or be heard). Tragic accident. In the midst of a not uncomplicated life.

JMO

 

[Eli9]

Death of Medford woman found in recycling bin ruled accidental, family does not accept ME’s finding

The Massachusetts Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the May 2022 death of 61-year-old Barbara Novaes was accidental, but her family is not accepting that finding.

www.boston25news.com

Oh man. I'm on the fence here. I mean obviously if you go looking for something your going to find examples of what you are looking for. But I am trusting of LE in most cases. I would like to hear that everything else was ruled out. But also my middle name is not Grace so I too have found myself in unimaginable situations before. Still processing this info I guess. JMO

 

[bestill]

DBM - just read COD was "positional asphyxia". Still questioning!

 

[bombardier]

I've seen weirder positional asphyxia cases before, but they all have some factor that severely impacts one's ability to right themselves; usually intoxication but also physical disability, old age, etc.
If it's the type of recycling bin that's usually kept at the house (the one that's about chest-height on wheels that you push to the curb), I have a hard time imaging how a healthy 61-year old could get totally inside and not have the ability to push with their hands or knock the bin over. But again, weirder things have happened, and LE hasn't mentioned if tox was positive or not.
Was it ever released what kind of bin it was?

 

[Megnut]

I've seen weirder positional asphyxia cases before, but they all have some factor that severely impacts one's ability to right themselves; usually intoxication but also physical disability, old age, etc.
If it's the type of recycling bin that's usually kept at the house (the one that's about chest-height on wheels that you push to the curb), I have a hard time imaging how a healthy 61-year old could get totally inside and not have the ability to push with their hands or knock the bin over. But again, weirder things have happened, and LE hasn't mentioned if tox was positive or not.
Was it ever released what kind of bin it was?

Chronic intoxication would severely impact judgment -- trapped as much by that as anything, I'm afraid. A really sad loss...

Jmo

 

[Bostongirl]

I've seen weirder positional asphyxia cases before, but they all have some factor that severely impacts one's ability to right themselves; usually intoxication but also physical disability, old age, etc.
If it's the type of recycling bin that's usually kept at the house (the one that's about chest-height on wheels that you push to the curb), I have a hard time imaging how a healthy 61-year old could get totally inside and not have the ability to push with their hands or knock the bin over. But again, weirder things have happened, and LE hasn't mentioned if tox was positive or not.
Was it ever released what kind of bin it was?

I live in her same city and the bins are tall green roller bins. But to be honest this story doesn’t still make sense to me. These bins are so tippy, even when there is nothing inside. I guess it’s possible that she fell in and somehow crushed her neck? I don’t believe we were ever told if the bin was standing up or laying down.

RIP Ms. Novaes. I hope you are at peace.

MOO