Man Charged In Waterbury Slaying After Body Found Near Mall Parking Lot: PD

WATERBURY, CT — A city man is accused of killing a local resident whose body was found in November near the Brass Mill Center shopping mall.

David Morkis, 36, of Waterbury, has been charged on a warrant with first-degree manslaughter, police announced Thursday.

Police initially launched an untimely death investigation on November 23, 2024 after a deceased adult male was found in a secluded outdoor area near the mall’s 495 Union St. parking lot.

On March 21, the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the man’s death was a homicide.

Investigators identified the victim as Paul Barillaro, 57, of Waterbury.

His death was caused by blunt force injuries to the head and neck, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Detectives with the Waterbury police major crimes division identified Morkis as the suspect.

According to police, Morkis and the victim knew each other and got into a physical altercation, which caused injuries that resulted in Barillaro’s death.

Morkis, who is currently incarcerated for an unrelated charge, was due to be arraigned in Superior Court in Waterbury on the new charge on Thursday.