Woburn Resident Accused of Beating, Dumping Woman in Swamp

Two women, of Woburn and Burlington, have been indicted on attempted murder charges after a badly beaten woman was pulled from a swamp in May, the Middlesex District Attorney’s office reports.

Melissa Buono, 20, of Woburn, and Katelin Gallo, 19, of Burlington, have both been formally charged with attempted murder, assault and battery causing serious bodily injury and two counts of assault and battery, Marian Ryan’s office announced earlier this week.

On the morning of May 9, 2015, Woburn police responded to Locust Street after learning of a female victim that had pulled from an area swamp. Police described the woman to be covered in mud. The victim suffered severe facial injuries, but did survive the incident.

Buono and Gallo allegedly assaulted the victim before throwing her into the swamp. The two repeatedly threatened the woman while the attack was taking place, investigators allege.

Jessica Hogan is the prosecutor assigned to the case. She also serves as the assistant district attorney. Both Buono and Gallo are due back in court on Friday, Nov. 20.