Apparent murder-suicide in Somerset under investigation

Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office, homicide unit prosecutors and Somerset Police are actively investigating what is believed to be a murder-suicide, which occurred this morning in the Town of Somerset.

According to Gregg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, at around 8:05 a.m. today, Somerset Police received a 911 call from a relative of the female victim stating that she had found two individuals deceased inside the deceased couple’s home at 160 Thelma Avenue.

When police arrived on scene, they located Amber Pereira, 30, and Joshua Pereira, 31, both deceased in the home. Both were victims of gunshot wounds. A firearm was discovered underneath Joshua Pereira.

A preliminary investigation revealed that Joshua Pereira had recently moved out of the home after the couple had separated. At some time prior to 8 a.m. today, he drove to the Thelma Avenue home. Witnesses heard multiple gunshots coming from inside the home shortly after his arrival. The state medical examiner’s office will conduct autopsies to officially determine cause and manner of death.

Miliote stated that it does not appear that any other individuals were in the home or were involved in the incident.

The matter remains under investigation.