‘Senseless act of violence’: Three people slain in Newton home identified by relatives, church

NEWTON, Mass. — The pastor and community at Our Lady Help of Christians Church are remembering the three Newton residents found stabbed and bludgeoned to death in their Broadway Street home over the weekend.

In a letter to their church community, the church identified the three people killed as Jill and Bruno D’Amore and Jill’s mother, Lucia Arpino.

The D’Amores were in their 70s and Arpino was in her 90s.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share that the terrible tragedy that happened yesterday in Newton hit very close to home,” the victims’ relatives said in the letter.

“Jill had taken on the ministry of beautifying the church’s environment and spent endless hours in the care of our church,” the letter states. Bruno “was known for his big voice and his exuberant personality and as ‘head chef’, he proudly flipped the burgers at the parish picnic.”

Lucia never missed a 10 a.m. Mass. and “for over 60 years she and her husband Alberto sat in the “North End” section of our church,” according to the church.

“These were really salt of the earth, wonderful people we all know well,” the Rev. Dan Riley told Boston 25 News. “The neighborhood is a real neighborhood, not just a street.”

Riley said the couple was celebrating their 50th anniversary and was supposed to be renewing their wedding vows and receiving a special blessing during the 10 a.m. Mass Sunday.

‘We will not rest’: Newton Police boost patrols, hunt for killer after 3 elderly residents slain

When they never showed up to the church, it was a parishioner who went to their home to check on them and made the gruesome discovery.

“The husband was so excited about planning this,” Riley said. “The wife was a delightful, shy person. She would’ve loved it. So, it was a shock to find out after Mass.”

Riley said the family was very involved in the church and attended Mass regularly.

“Wonderful, wonderful people, beloved in the best sense, just wonderful Italian-Americans,” Riley said, describing the three. “Just great people. From the family values to the tomato garden, to the house always being opened to everyone, just very friendly and very welcoming.”

“Words of love to our people here who have faith, this is a horrible, horrible tragedy, and we will get through this,” Riley said. “Good always beats evil in the end, right now this is a time of extreme grief and pain. It’s okay to grieve fully, and at the same time be confident and have hope in the Lord’s resurrection, which doesn’t minimize the pain in anyway, but lets us know in the end life will triumph over death.”

“We ask for your prayers for them, most especially for their three children and their five grandchildren.”

A special Mass of Peace is planned for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington St. in Newton.

“Following the conclusion of communal prayer, the church will remain open for a period of time for those who wish to continue their prayer,” the church said.

Riley thanked local agencies and members of the community for providing support to the church community during this difficult time.

“With the sudden deaths of three beloved elderly parishioners over the weekend, we are immensely shocked and saddened. Our heartfelt sympathy and many prayers go out to the family and friends of these three cherished ones,” Riley said. “My deepest gratitude for the incredible love and support that the staff, parishioners, neighbors, the police, the counselors, and all the government personnel who have been so solicitous, compassionate, and helpful have given and continue to give.”

“The agony of this tragedy is all too real. God’s love working through you is also real. Likewise, Jesus’ resurrection is real,” Riley said. “This means that, as we deeply, deeply grieve, we do so with the support of each other and with confidence that, in the end, good defeats evil and life conquers death.”

At last check, police had not arrested anyone. Newton Police have boosted patrols in the neighborhood as investigators hunt for the killer or killers.

1 of 13