Massachusetts man arrested and charged in murder of mother of four

A Massachusetts man has been arrested and charged in the murder of a mother of four after police found the woman shot to death.

According to Holyoke Police, on Saturday, July 23, at approximately 12:05 a.m., Holyoke Police were dispatched to 35 North Summer Street for a possible domestic altercation. Upon arrival, they encountered a female gunshot victim who had passed away as a result of her injuries. The victim has been identified as 36-year-old Desiree Rivera Lopez.

Detectives from both the Holyoke Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office immediately began an exhaustive investigation into the death of Lopez. Pablo Rivera-Ortiz, 37, was arrested and charged with murder. He was arraigned in Holyoke District Court on Monday, July 25.

According to an obituary, Lopez left behind 14 and 8-year-old daughters, and 10 and 5-year-old sons.

Police stated that it is an on-going investigation being conducted by the Holyoke Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, and the Hampden District Attorney’s Office’s Murder Unit.