Massachusetts 35-year-old mother, 9-month-old infant, dead in apparent murder-suicide

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Office of the Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker and North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray announce that two deaths yesterday at a North Andover home are being viewed by investigators as an apparent murder-suicide. The deceased have been identified as Jennifer T. Paez, 35, and her nine-month-old baby boy, Valentino Paez.

On Monday, North Andover police responded to a 911 call at 5:15 p.m. and found the mother and her infant son with apparent knife wounds. Jennifer was pronounced deceased at the house. Valentino was transported via ambulance to Lawrence General Hospital and pronounced deceased at approximately 6:30 p.m. While the investigation is active and ongoing, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker and North Andover Police say early indicators suggest that Jennifer wounded her son and then took her own life.

“While everyone is, understandably, still struggling to comprehend what went so terribly wrong here, our deepest sympathies go out to the family of Jennifer Paez and her son, Valentino,” said Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker. “I would also like to thank the North Andover Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, and all those responding for helping this family and this community in the wake of this unimaginable crime.”

Chief Charles Gray also expressed his condolences to the family, adding, “I would like to recognize the hard-working officers of the North Andover Police Department that responded to this tragic incident, as well as our partners with the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police, Andover Police, North Andover Fire Department, the North Andover Community Support coordinator, and Lawrence General Hospital for their assistance.”