Massachusetts grandmother allegedly beaten to death by skateboard remembered for volunteering, serving homeless

A Massachusetts grandmother allegedly killed in a skateboard attack is being remembered.

90-year-old Elaine M. (Dugas) of Hudson died on March 31, 2026.

According to an obituary, “Elaine spent many years volunteering at Marlborough Hospital as well as serving the local homeless community. She worked at the Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical School in the lunchroom extending her kindness and generosity to the students. After working at Assabet, Elaine went on to work at Digital where she later retired from.”

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Hudson Chief of Police Richard DiPersio previously announced that 29-year-old Devin Dube of Hudson, had been charged with murder, assault and battery causing serious bodily injury over 60, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon over 60, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the death of his grandmother, Elaine Dube.

On March 31, 2026, at approximately 3:10 p.m., the Hudson Police Department received a 911 call from a female resident of a Munson Street home where the defendant resided with his father, sister and grandmother. The caller reported that a person, later identified as the defendant, was allegedly attacking her with a skateboard. Moments later another 911 call was received from a male resident of the home reporting the ongoing incident inside the home and that another person, later identified as Elaine Dube had also been attacked.

When police arrived the defendant was not on scene. Approximately 45 minutes after the initial 911 call, Hudson Police received a call regarding an individual running around another property in the area. Police responded and located the defendant allegedly hiding in a van on the property.  He was arrested on scene without incident.

Elaine Dube was transported to UMass Medical Center in Worcester where she later died from her injuries. The other two residents of the home were also injured in the attack but were treated and released.

Devin Dube, who is being held without bail, was evaluated by a court psychologist and was said to have schizophrenia and was not taking his medication.

A funeral Mass for Elaine will be celebrated Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 11:00am at the Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect Street, Marlborough, MA 01752. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 133 Wilson Street, Marlborough.

This is an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and Hudson Police. The prosecutors assigned to this case are Whitney Williams and Ed Kim.