No Bail For Man Accused Of Killing Ex-Wife, Burning Her Home

WRENTHAM, MA — The man from East Bridgewater who is charged with killing his ex-wife before setting her home on fire has been denied bail by a judge for the second time.

Brendon Owen, 47, pleaded not guilty to murder, kidnapping, arson, and assault charges in relation to the death of his former wife Shirley Owen in her Franklin home on Dec. 17, 2021.

Owen's attorney, Neil Madden, requested Owen be released on bail with a GPS monitoring bracelet, but Wrentham District Court Judge Julieann Heron denied this request Wednesday, the Milford Daily News first reported.

A probable cause hearing for Owen has been postponed until Feb. 16, at the request of Norfolk Assistant District Attorney Robert Stewart.

On Dec. 17, prosecutors say Brendon Owen went to his ex-wife's home, despite a restraining order put on him, and beat her to death before assaulting and tying up her 74-year-old mother and setting the home on fire.

Shirley's mother was able to escape and contact the police, who arrested Owen by taser on the front lawn of the burning home on Grace Lane.

Shirley Owen was pronounced dead at the scene from what police called blunt-force trauma.

The couple has two children together, and neither was home at the date of the incident.

Owen's attorney argues his client is presumed innocent, with a history of medical issues, no criminal record, and a steady job before his arrest with strong ties to the community.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELP: Massachusetts provides this list of national, statewide and local resources for victims of domestic violence. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. Anyone who is in immediate danger or knows someone who is is urged to call 911.