BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — A Bridgewater man charged in the murder of his 58-year-old female neighbor who was found severely beaten in his Springs Street house early Friday morning was held without bail.
Dinis Moreira, 69, was arraigned Friday in Brockton Superior Court on a charge of murder of Valerie Folsom Oakhem, 58, of Brockton, according to Plymouth District Attorney’s Office.
“I’ll see you in hell Dinis,” said William Oakhem, the victim’s ex-husband.
The family and friends of the 58-year-old mother and grandmother were horrified at the gruesome details of her brutal murder, with many breaking down in tears.
According to the prosecutor, Bridgewater Police received a call around 12:30 a.m. on their business line from a family member of Moreira’s.
Kevin Moreira, Dinis’s son, reported that he arrived at his father’s home at 134 Spring Street and found a bludgeoned female on the kitchen floor.
When officers responded to the house they located Oakhem laying on the kitchen floor with several lacerations to her body and face, and severe trauma to her head, according to prosecutors.
“The victim was trembling and gasping for air and appeared to be attempting to roll over,” said the prosecutors.
Oakhem was pronounced deceased while en route to the hospital.
According to Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, Moreira and Oakhem were “neighbors and friends” and she had helped him a lot after his wife died.
ADA Jennifer Sprague from the Plymouth County DA’s office said in court that Oakhem was invited in for a glass of wine. It’s unclear what happened next but she says after Oakhem was beaten she suffered in agony for hours before police arrived.
“Horrified, who expects their family member to murdered with a hammer,” said Gail Teed, a friend of the victim. “There was no need. Absolutely no need. This woman helped him all the time since his wife passed away. All the time. She didn’t deserve this, nothing. She didn’t deserve none of this.”
A neighbor says that Moreira was friendly, and he can’t imagine he’s capable of what he now stands accused of doing. “Nice guy, he’d wave to you. Come over and gave us some bread a couple of weeks ago. Nothing wrong with the guy,” said Peter Schneider, who lives across the street.
“My heart breaks for what that man did to not just me but this whole world. She really brought a smile to everyone’s face she touched,” said Samantha Oakhem, the victim’s daughter.
Investigators believe that this was a targeted act of violence and not random. The investigation is ongoing.
The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner took jurisdiction of the case and will determine the manner and cause of death.
After examination by a court clinician, Moreira was held without bail and will be sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a 20-day evaluation.
He will be back in court on June 14.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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