DA: 'Shooter Responsible For the Woman's Death Then Took His Own Life'

Originally posted on March 19. Updated for Friday’s Patch Newsletter.

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Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that the death of a man and a woman in Framingham appears to have been a murder-suicide.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, first responders doing a well being check at 154 Second Street, Unit 206, forcibly entered the residence and found a woman and a man shot. Investigators have determined that the man was the shooter. A gun was found at the scene.

“This is still an ongoing investigation,” said Ryan, in a press statement. “However, we believe this was an isolated incident and that the shooter responsible for the woman’s death then took his own life.”

Framingham Police Chief Kenneth Ferguson added, “This is a tragic situation. We feel for the families in this case. I would like to thank District Attorney Ryan, her team, and detectives assigned to this incident for their quick response and hard work.”

The woman has been identified as Michelle Batista, 31, of Framingham.

The man’s identity is being withheld, pending notification of next of kin. Authorities believe Batista and the man had been in a dating relationship and living together in the apartment.

This case is being investigated by the Framingham Police Department and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Nicole Allain.

The Victim Witness Advocate is Lesia Schymonowytsch.