For Immediate Release: January 21, 2008                                  
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 617-679-6522

Arrests Made In Connection With Murder Of Woman Found In Dracut Sunday Morning

LOWELL – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone and Lowell Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee informed the public today that an arrest has been made in connection with the murder of Shannon Meara, 24, of Lowell.

Early this morning, Lowell Police and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office arrested Silinda Sun, 38, of Lowell, and Eric Anderson, 28, of Lowell, in connection with Meara’s death. Sun, Meara’s boyfriend, was charged with first degree murder and Anderson was charged with accessory after the fact.

Both men are being held in custody in Lowell and will be arraigned tomorrow morning in Lowell District Court on their charges.

“We allege that this is another unfortunate example of domestic violence, this time between a boyfriend and his girlfriend,” District Attorney Leone said. “I do want to commend the work of Dracut and Lowell Police, as well as the Massachusetts State Police, for conducting a comprehensive investigation and allowing us to take the defendants off the streets so soon after the incident.”

According to authorities, on Sunday, January 20, at approximately 7:45 a.m., Dracut Police and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office responded to 200 Skyline Drive for a report of a female body discovered in a dumpster.

When they arrived, the officers and troopers found the deceased victim, who was was later identified as Shannon Meara. An autopsy is scheduled to be performed on the victim, which will include a formal determination on the manner of death.

Dracut Police, Lowell Police, and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office commenced an immediate investigation into the circumstances of Meara’s death.

Based on that investigation, it is alleged that Sun, Meara’s boyfriend, is responsible for killing Meara at an apartment at 556 Westford Street in Lowell. Anderson is alleged to have provided assistance to Sun following the murder.

Sun and Anderson will be arraigned tomorrow morning in Lowell District Court on their charges.

These charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant District Attorney Beth Merachnik. The case is being investigated by Dracut Police, Lowell Police, and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.      

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