June 11, 2015
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tim Connolly 508-368-7236
Or 508-688-5565
Woman Arraigned in Killing of Her Boyfriend
LEOMINSTER — A Leominster woman was arraigned on a murder charge today in the killing of her boyfriend, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
Stephanie Cruz, 28, of 156 Water St., Leominster was ordered held without bail by Judge Mark Noonan in Leominster District Court. The case was continued to July 10.
"At about 10:30 a.m. today, Leominster Police received a 911 call from Ms. Cruz who told the dispatcher that she had stabbed her boyfriend at about 8 p.m. yesterday," Mr. Early said. Leominster police responded to that address and entered Apartment number 3 on the 4th floor of the building. Police found a large amount of dried blood throughout the apartment. They found Cedric Taylor, 37, of the same address, dead on the floor with a stab wound to the stomach.
"The potential murder weapon, a knife, was also discovered in the kitchen sink," Mr. Early said.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was contacted and it accepted the case. Neighbors reported hearing fighting from the apartment last night, but had heard similar fights in the past and did not call police. Mr. Taylor was released Wednesday from the Worcester County House of Correction where he had been held awaiting trial on a charge of a domestic assault and battery on Ms. Cruz. The trial did not go forward when Ms. Cruz did not appear.
Ms. Cruz has three children. Two of them are in the custody of their biological father and the third child, whose father was Mr. Taylor, is in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.
The State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and Leominster Police are continuing to investigate. State Police Crime Scene Services assisted investigators at the scene.