For Immediate Release
Contact: Julia Keane 508-368-7226 or 774-530-1207
WORCESTER — Yesterday, a Worcester County Superior Court jury found 40-year-old Matthew J. Vanier, of Gardner, guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery in the death of 56-year-old Randy S. Vaillancourt, of Gardner, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.
On December 9, 2017, Gardner Police found Mr. Vaillancourt’s body inside his home on Nicholas Street after conducting a well-being check at the address. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide and determined the cause of death to be blunt-force trauma. Investigators also determined that some of Mr. Vaillancourt’s personal property was missing from the scene.
Mr. Vanier was initially charged and arraigned in Gardner District Court on December 21, 2017. He was indicted by a Worcester County Grand Jury on February 21, 2018, and has been in custody since his arraignment in District Court.
“Assistant District Attorneys Lina Pashou, David Feraco, and Jesse-Paul Crane, and Victim Witness Advocates Maria Deyette and Kayley Jones, did an outstanding job on this case,” said Mr. Early. “I also want to thank the Gardner Police Department and the Mass. State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office for conducting an excellent investigation, as well as the jury for their efforts in reaching these verdicts.”
Gardner Police Chief Eric McAvene said, “We always appreciate working with the ADAs and State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office on all our cases, including this one.”
The first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. Mr. Vanier will be sentenced by Worcester Superior Court Judge Daniel Wrenn on December 2, 2025.