Officials: 22-year-old Massachusetts man accused of repeatedly stabbing great aunt to death

LOWELL – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Lowell Police Superintendent Barry Golner have confirmed that a Massachusetts man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the July 31, 2022 death of Linda Gilbert, 64 of Lowell.

At approximately 11:19 p.m. on July 31, Lowell Police received a 911 call reporting an unresponsive female inside a Loring Street residence. Upon arrival police located the victim with apparent trauma. She was transported to Lowell General Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled that the cause of death was multiple stab wounds.

Investigators were subsequently able to locate surveillance video of Rayshawn Settles, 22 of Lowell, the victim’s grandnephew, walking to and from the home around the time of the murder. Investigators were also able to locate clothing the defendant allegedly wore during the murder. Those clothes were tested at the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory and found to have the victim’s DNA on them.

The defendant was arrested Saturday without incident at Lowell General Hospital, Saint’s Campus, where he has been being civilly held since August 1. He is expected to be arraigned on Monday in Lowell District Court.

This case was investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and Lowell Police. The prosecutors assigned to this case are Daniel Harren and Joanna Staley. The Victim Witness Advocate is Susie Marshall.