Family, police, looking for body of Mass. woman who authorities say was murdered in front of her children

A Massachusetts man has been arrested and charged with murder in the disappearance of his girlfriend and mother of his two children.

According to Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker and Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller, Salem Police initially received a report Monday that the woman had been harmed. Members of the Essex County District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit joined the case and developed further evidence of foul play at the Pope Street home.

33-year-old Pablo Vicente of Salem was arrested and charged with 20-year-old Nayeli Nieves’ disappearance and murder.

According to multiple reports, one of Vicente’s relatives contacted a Lynn police detective who is an acquaintance. The relative told the Lynn detective that Vicente admitted that he had choked Nieves to death in front of her two young children and disposed of her body in a dumpster after the three lived with her dead body for three days.

Authorities and family members continue to search for her body.

Family members say that Nieves had a restraining order out on Vicente and had been charged with domestic violence against her in the past.

The family is also in the process of trying to get custody of the children who have been placed in the care of DCF.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been created to cover the cost of funeral services, once she is recovered, and to support the family by continuing to provide for her children.

Vicente was arraigned in Salem District Court Tuesday where he pled not guilty and was held without bail.

A vigil is being held to honor and remember Nieves on Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the Post Office Square in Salem.