A 39-year-old Peabody man is now facing a charge of manslaughter in connection with an alleged assault on his sister on New Year’s Day that officials say led to her death days later.
Alban Dobra was already facing a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the alleged assault, and was arraigned on the manslaughter charge Monday, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker and Peabody Police Chief Tom Griffin said in a joint statement. Dobra was arrested immediately following the alleged assault.
Peabody Police responded to a call for a medical emergency at 3 Esquire Drive at 5:22 p.m. on Jan. 1, and found Dobra’s sister, Mimoza Sawtelle, with serious head trauma in front of the single-family home, the statement said. Dobra allegedly attempted to eject his two sisters from his house, and while doing so, grabbed Sawtelle and pushed her off the front steps onto a walkway below.
Sawtelle was taken to the hospital and subsequently died from her injuries on Jan. 5.
During Dobra’s arraignment on the assault and battery charge, he was ordered held without bail. He is set to return to court for a detention hearing on Jan. 12, the statement said.
