Massachusetts man convicted of killing his cousin’s wife, three children

WORCESTER – Mathew Locke was found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder today in the deaths of a West Brookfield mother and her three children in 2018, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

Locke, 38, formerly of Ware, was convicted of all four murder counts in the slayings of Sara Bermudez, 38, Madison Bermudez, 8, James Bermudez, 6, and Michael Bermudez, 2. Their bodies were found around 3:30 p.m. on March 1 in their home at 10 Old Warren Road, West Brookfield.

The jury found Locke guilty of first-degree murder under all three theories, including deliberate premeditation, extreme atrocity and cruelty, and felony murder, with the underlying felonies being armed burglary and aggravated rape.

Bermudez Family Memorial Fund

The jury also found Locke guilty on the charge of armed burglary and arson of a dwelling. There was evidence that there had been a fire in the home that extinguished itself.

The trial against Locke in Worcester Superior Court spanned nearly 4 full weeks of testimony, including more than 1,000 exhibits and upwards of 70 witnesses. The jury deliberated for about 10 hours before reaching the verdict. “The deaths of this mother and her children were some of the most heinous ever seen by this office,” Mr. Early said. “I appreciate the hard work of Senior First Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Travers, Assistant District Attorney Terry McLaughlin, and First Assistant District Attorney Jane Sullivan, whose dedication and meticulous efforts led to this verdict today. Thanks also to Victim Witness Advocates James Pearson, Margaret Rwaramba and the late LoriAnn Killoran for helping to support the husband and father who lost his entire family. Ellen Grant from our office also did an excellent job providing trial support. We hope this outcome can provide some measure of justice for the victim’s family.”

Early also thanked the law enforcement agencies who worked on this case, including the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, the West Brookfield Police, State Police Crime Scene Services, State Police civilian forensic scientists, State Police Gang Unit, the State Fire Marshal’s Office, and members of the Medical Examiner’s Office.

“I also want to thank the men and women of the jury who had to listen to these horrible facts, witness the graphic crimes that had been committed, and were still able to do their job. To them we are very grateful,” Early said.

According to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Locke’s DNA was found in the genital areas of Sara Bermudez and her 8-year-old daughter.

Sara’s husband Moses is Locke’s cousin.

Locke will be sentenced at a later date.