LYNN — Zachary Vozzella, 26, was charged with murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in the fatal stabbing of Brianna Welsh, 25, who was pregnant at the time of her death, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker’s Office announced Thursday.
Welsh was found dead in her home by the Police Department on Wednesday morning with what authorities believe are “multiple sharp force wounds,” according to a statement from Tucker’s office.
“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 the statement.
Vozzella is the brother of Welsh’s former boyfriend Brendon Vozzella, 24, according to the statement.
Authorities allege that Zachary Vozzella murdered Welsh while Brendon Vozzella was in custody Tuesday following his arrest on a report of domestic violence at 2:06 p.m.
At his arraignment in Lynn District Court on Thursday, Zachary Vozzella pled not guilty and was held without bail.
According to court documents, the Police Department received a call from Welsh, at approximately 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, in which she reported that she had been punched in the stomach, but was hesitant to identify the perpetrator. She told authorities she called 911 to take her to the hospital for a check-in because she was three-months pregnant.
Upon investigation, the Police Department’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit identified Brendon Vozzella as Welsh’s alleged abuser, according to the documents.
Brendon Vozzella was arraigned in Lynn District Court on charges of assault and battery of a household member and assault and battery on a pregnant person on Wednesday after posting bail. He is expected to return to court on Aug. 6 in relation to those charges.
According to court documents, Welsh’s mother, Claudia Welsh, requested a well-being check on her daughter at 8:59 a.m. Wednesday, after which police units found Brianna Welsh on the floor of her bedroom with a laceration on her neck.
Zachary Vozzella, whose legal address is in Stoneham, was living with Brendon Vozzella and Brianna Welsh at the time of her death, according to the documents.
Tucker said the death of Brianna Welsh has created an “unbearable loss” for her family.
“While their loss cannot be repaired or remedied, I hope that our efforts to seek justice on her behalf assure them that we and the community support them,” Tucker said.
Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson said he was so sorry for the loss of Brianna Welsh.
“That she was an expectant mother makes this even more tragic, chilling, outrageous, and impossible to comprehend,” he said. “I appreciate the work of first responders and law enforcement, and while many questions remain to be answered by the ongoing investigation, our city is left with a profound grief.”
Police Chief Chris Reddy said he was grateful for the work done by the Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office.
“I want to extend our deepest condolences to Brianna’s family and pledge our continued support as we seek justice on her behalf,” he said.
