DA investigating death in Lowell; man charged with kidnapping, rape

LOWELL, Mass. — A woman says she was held captive and sexually assaulted by a man in Lowell and police are investigating whether he killed her neighbor beforehand.

The woman told police she arrived at her Queen Street home Monday to find her neighbor dead and, according to the Middlesex County District Attorney, Hoeup Honn had broken into the building.

The woman said Honn then held her in her apartment and sexually assaulted her. Police say she escaped the apartment when Honn fell asleep and got help from another neighbor.

Police say officers arrested Honn at the home. He has been charged with kidnapping, aggravated rape, and assault and battery.

The state medical examiner is investigating the neighbor's death. Honn has not yet been charged in connection to the death, but police say he attacked the neighbor.

A family friend of the man who died tells Boston 25 News that it's shocking for this to happen just blocks away from police, and he questions whether this could have been prevented.

"It's senseless. you know I don't get it, I mean there's a police station right down the street," said Sam Sok. "Maybe more patrols, a bike patrol, I don't know, just something with the neighborhood. I hope justice needs to be found, sad for the family."

The man who died, who was reportedly in his 50s, has not yet been publicly identified.

Honn is set to face charges in Lowell District Court Tuesday.

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