Sept. 5, 2018
For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul Jarvey (508) 368-7241
EAST BROOKFIELD — A Ware man was ordered held without bail today after being arraigned on four counts of murder in the deaths of a woman and her three children in their West Brookfield home, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
Mathew Locke, 32, of 20 Eddy St., Ware, who has been in custody since March 26 after being arrested on a charge of misleading police investigating the homicides, was charged today with four counts of murder in the slayings of Sara Bermudez, 38, Madison Bermudez, 8, James Bermudez, 6, and Michael Bermudez, 2. Their bodies were found about 3:30 p.m. on March 1 in their home at 10 Old Warren Road. There was evidence that there had been a fire in the home that extinguished itself.
DNA and other evidence led to the murder charges, which were issued in East Brookfield District Court. Judge Robert J. Pellegrini continued his case to Oct. 18.
Assistant District Attorneys Christopher P. Hodgens and Brett F. Dillon are prosecuting the case.
Mr. Early praised the work of investigators, including the State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office, West Brookfield Police, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services and other units of the State Police. Police departments in Ware, Palmer and North Brookfield also contributed to the investigation.