Man arrested after 2 found murdered

NASHUA, N.H. >> A 47-year-old man was arrested for murder after authorities said they discovered two people shot to death in a parking lot off Maple Street on Friday night.

An autopsy allegedly determined that Victor Rivera, of Nashua, shot the victims multiple times, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella

and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke.

The alleged victims have been identified by authorities as Matthew Champagne, 44, of Manchester, N.H., and Patricia Swett, 45, of Nashua.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. Friday, authorities said Nashua police officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire heard in the area of a parking lot off Maple Street. Authorities said officers arrived to find the bodies of Champagne and Swett, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

Shortly before 2:20 a.m. Saturday, the Nashua Police used social media to announce an active investigation at the Maple Street parking lot, stating “there is no threat to the public at this time and we ask you to remain away from the area for the time being.”

Authorities said autopsies, conducted by Deputy Chief Medical

Examiner Dr. Mitchell Weinberg on Saturday morning, determined both Swett and Champagne died from multiple gunshot wounds, and their manner of death was homicide.

According to authorities, Rivera was arrested for two counts of second-degree murder for knowingly causing the deaths of Swett and Champagne by shooting them with a firearm, and alternatively, two counts of second-degree murder for recklessly causing the deaths of the pair “under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life by shooting them with a firearm.”

Authorities said the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

Rivera is expected to be arraigned on the murder charges at some point on Monday at the Hillsboro County Superior Court, Southern District, in Nashua.

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