Massachusetts man sentenced to prison for murdering wife after she filed for divorce

EVERETT – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Everett Chief of Police Steven Mazzie have confirmed that Emilio Matarazzo has been found guilty of first-degree murder in connection with killing his wife 50-year-old Ersilia Cataldo Matarazzo on December 19, 2018. Matarazzo was found guilty after a 16-day trial in Middlesex Superior Court. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“Intimate partner violence continues to be a significant public safety and public health issue. Ms. Cataldo Matarazzo had been subjected to a long history of abuse that escalated when she tried to leave the defendant. We know that when a victim decides to leave a relationship that time can be incredibly dangerous and in this case Ersilia Cataldo Matarazzo was senselessly murdered when she left the defendant and filed for divorce,” said District Attorney Ryan. “Since her murder, her family, neighbors and her many friends have drawn attention to the important message that domestic violence is a community issue. They have helped to raise awareness and provided resources to aid victims and survivors.”

On December 19, 2018, at approximately 8:40 a.m., Everett Police responded to a report of a shooting on Central Avenue in Everett. Upon arrival authorities located the victim, identified as Ersilia Cataldo Matarazzo, 50, inside her car located in the driveway. The victim had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and was pronounced dead at the scene. Everett Police and Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office immediately began an investigation.

The investigation revealed that about a month before the shooting, Cataldo Matarazzo had filed for divorce from the defendant and moved into her parents’ Central Avenue home. She disclosed a long history of verbal abuse as well as the fact that, more recently, the defendant had become physically abusive to her, strangling and scratching her.

On December 18, 2018, the defendant went to a Christmas party at St. Anthony’s Parish in Everett, where the victim worked. The defendant was angry and demanded to see his wife. He was asked to leave and pushed his daughter in anger outside the church.

On December 19, 2018, sometime after 8:30 a.m., a witness heard gunshots and saw from her window, a male, later identified as the defendant, approach a car in the Central Avenue driveway with a long gun, aim it down to the window and begin firing into the car where the victim was seated.

Later that morning, the defendant walked into the police station where he was arrested. Investigators subsequently executed a search warrant at a Foster Street property, owned by the defendant, and located the murder weapon, a Beretta .12 gauge shotgun hidden behind a workbench in the basement. That gun bore the same serial number as the shotgun that was missing from the gun safe at defendant’s home.

According to an obituary, Ersilia served on the School Committee, Board of Registrar and was also on the Board of Assessors in Everett. “She was Vice President of The Kiwanis Club and a devoted church member allowing her to share her love throughout the community through numerous charitable ventures and opportunities to volunteer. She was employed by both St. Anthony’s Church of Everett and Metropolitan Credit Union.”

Those who knew Ersilia described her as a lovable and kind woman who was a great friend to many.

The investigation into the homicide was conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Everett Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

This case marks the Office’s second conviction in a domestic violence murder this month. There have been six domestic violence homicides in 2023 in Middlesex County, two of which occurred in the last few weeks.

The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office partners with domestic violence service agencies across the county and the state to offer survivors support and resources.

In 2020, District Attorney Marian Ryan launched a dedicated text line for victims to provide victims with direct access to a victim witness advocate via text message. The line provides the opportunity for victims in non-emergency situations to have live interaction with an advocate in the District Attorney’s Office without having to say a word. This is a valuable tool both for individuals who may feel safer utilizing text and for young people who often prefer text to phone call. Recognizing that many victims are reaching out with questions regarding personal matters, this line provides a person-to-person connection, which can help alleviate the stress of navigating the criminal justice system.

Victims can reach an advocate during regular office hours (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) via text message at 1-781-305-0399. The line is not monitored 24/7 and is NOT an emergency.

The prosecutors assigned to this case are Carrie Spiros and Whitney Williams. The Victim Witness Advocate is Anne Foley.