A 25-year-old Massachusetts woman who was three months pregnant was stabbed to death by her boyfriend’s brother, in a crime being called “tragic,” “chilling,” and “horrific.”
Brianna Welsh was allegedly murdered by 26-year-old Zachary Vozzella just one day after she had reported her boyfriend to police for domestic violence. On July 30th, Welsh got into an argument with her boyfriend, Brendon Vozzella, after which Welsh called 911, saying Brendon had punched her in the stomach.
Welsh was taken to Salem Hospital, while Brendon was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a household member, and assault and battery upon a pregnant person, court documents show. Zachary, Brendon’s brother, had previously been homeless, and so moved into the couple’s apartment, where he had been living for several months.
After Welsh returned home from the hospital, she was allegedly murdered by Zachary, her boyfriend’s brother.
READ: ‘Nightmare’: Pregnant mom murdered two days after learning she was expecting third child
“Authorities allege that Zachary Vozzella murdered Welsh while his brother Brendon Vozzella was being held in custody,” the office of Essex District Attorney Paul Tucker said in a statement. Prosecutor Kate MacDougall said the murder may have occurred because Welsh wanted to break up with Brendan Vozzella, and for Zachary Vozzella to move out.
“The tragic violence that has taken the life of Brianna Welsh and her unborn child has created an unbearable loss for her family,” Tucker said in a statement. “While their loss cannot be repaired or remedied, I hope that our efforts to seek justice on her behalf assures them that we and the community support them.”
Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson added, “That she was an expectant mother makes this even more tragic, chilling, outrageous, and impossible to comprehend.”
George Sowpel was Welsh’s teacher at Monomoy Regional High School, and said her loss was devastating. “Just a decent, good person. People who knew her would rely on her 100 percent. She would’ve been an awesome mom,” he said. “She just worked hard, whether it was at her job, or work, or family, or parenting, I’m sure she would’ve been fantastic at it.”
