For Immediate Release April 14, 2008                                          
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 781-897-8325

Everett Man Arraigned for Alleged Murder of His Former Girlfriend

WOBURN– Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today that an Everett man has been arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court in connection with the alleged murder of his former girlfriend, Norma Gilles, 41, of Lynn.

Lesly Cheremond, 48, of Everett, was arraigned at the Middlesex County Superior Courthouse on a charge of murder in the first degree.  Cheremond pleaded not guilty and the Magistrate ordered Cheremond held without bail.

According to authorities, Gilles had last been seen on February 13 at a hair salon where she worked at 374 Salem Street in Malden. A missing persons report was filed by her brother on February 23 with Lynn Police. Malden Police discovered Gilles’ car on February 27 on Faulkner Street in Malden and subsequently towed the car to the Police Department. Malden Police notified State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and a joint investigation was commenced. Gilles’ body was found in the trunk of her car.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (ME) completed an autopsy and ruled the victim’s death a homicide caused by asphyxia due to smothering and compression of the neck.

Cheremond worked in an adjacent business to the hair salon that Gilles was employed. Gilles had a prior restraining order against Cheremond resulting from a pending case in which he is charged with the alleged assault of Gilles in February 2007. Cheremond and Gilles had an argument on the day before she was last seen. Several hours after Gilles was last seen leaving the store, Cheremond came into Gilles’ salon and told a worker that he was taking Gilles handbag to her.

Inside Cheremond’s store, investigators found a key to Gilles’ car as well as trash bags that matched the type of bags that Gilles’ body was found wrapped in.  Cheremond has also given inconsistent statements to friends and authorities during the weeks she was missing, including that she was on vacation, had left in an UHaul truck, and she may not be back.

Cheremond was arraigned in Malden District Court on March 3 on a charge of first degree murder before District Court Judge Matthew Nestor, at which point he was ordered held without bail. 
   
Cheremond’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 14 at 9 a.m. for a pretrial conference.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Keeley. The victim witness advocate is Anne Foley.

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