GRIEF, FEAR IN LAWRENCE
LAWRENCE — Hundreds of grief-stricken teens gathered at a vigil last night for a slain 16-year-old fellow high schooler whose mangled body was found decapitated with his arms cut off on the banks of the Merrimack River in a gruesome murder that has rattled many in the Mill City.
“The whole thing is scary — you never know, it could’ve been one of our brothers,” said a Lawrence High junior who attended the vigil. “I have a lot of brothers I worry about every night.”
The state medical examiner’s office identified the victim as Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino, who was last seen on the evening of Nov. 18, according to Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.
“This is a tragic loss for his family and friends,” Blodgett said. “We are working tirelessly to determine the person or persons responsible for Mr. Viloria-Paulino’s death.”
The male corpse was found by a woman walking her dog along the riverbank Thursday afternoon near McCabe Court, police said. The sophomore was headless with his arms cut off near the elbows. His head was found close by.
Linette Perez, a family friend who spoke outside the family house at their request, said the teen left behind his iPhone and other items he never left home without.
“His school ID, everything was left behind, his wallet. He’s 16. What 16 year old leaves the house without a phone these days,” she said. “He didn’t have a reason to run away. He’s a good kid. That’s how kids at the high school describe him. This was completely out of character for him.”
Just as mysterious is who the boy was with prior to his disappearance. The family was told by police that he was last seen along the riverbank in the area where his body was found and he was in the company of another boy.
“I know it’s a kid from the high school, but I don’t know who it is,” she said. “The family doesn’t know
him. They think it’s someone Lee had just met not too long ago.”
Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera said city police, state police and the DA’s office are working together to “get to the bottom of this gruesome and despicable murder.” The mayor is urging anyone with information about the slaying to call authorities. Anonymous tips are also welcome, he added.
Rivera would not say if the murder is gang-related, saying only at a press conference, “There are details that if released or discussed will only serve to undermine the ongoing investigation and cause a bad result in the end.” He did say the killing was “not a random act.”
The boy’s aunt, Christine Michaud, 29, said the family was sick with worry in the hours leading up to the heartbreaking news.
“I want people to know that he wasn’t just another (expletive) kid from Lawrence,” she said. “He was a good boy, he loved his family, he helped others whenever they needed it, he never said no, he was there if we needed something, he was there. He is loved by so many.”
Yesterday, police again closed off the riverbank where the body was found as detectives scoured the scene. State police also used Crime Scene Services, the Dive Team and Air Wing.
“You don’t know who’s next, who can be next. So you’re just trying to protect everyone at the same time,” said a fellow Lawrence High sophomore after the vigil. Others at the vigil spoke of the unnerving details of the teen having his arms and head cut off.
Perez said the family is living their worst nightmare.
“I’m angry. This was a gruesome and vicious crime that was committed here. A couple hours ago the family still had some hope that their child was going to come back alive. But their worst fears have been confirmed.”