Lowell Man Sentenced In Connection With Stabbing Deaths Of Two Women In July 2010

WOBURN– Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that Edwin Nunez, 35, formerly of Lowell, was sentenced to state prison on December 22 in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn in connection with a July 23, 2010 double homicide.  

Earlier this month, Nunez was convicted on charges of manslaughter (2 counts).  In court on December 22, Middlesex Superior Court Judge Mitchell Kaplan sentenced Nunez to 16 to 18 years concurrent on each manslaughter conviction. 

“The two victims in this case fought desperately to save their lives and failed,” said District Attorney Ryan.  “The deaths came after an argument about a small amount of money.  It’s disturbing to think that this defendant would become so enraged over a minor issue that he would draw a knife and wage such a brutal and savage attack.”

According to authorities, at approximately 3:48 pm on July 23, 2010, Lowell Police and EMS responded to 342 Westford Street for a report that two females had been stabbed and were seriously injured.  Both victims were transported to the hospital where they later died from their injuries. The victims were identified as Kayla Michelle Betancourt, 30, of Lowell, and Debra Souza, 47, of Lowell. 
           
The investigation revealed that the defendant allegedly went to the victims’ residence and stabbed them after a dispute over drugs.  Evidence presented during the trial indicated Nunez and the victims were arguing over $80 worth of cocaine.

An autopsy was conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the cause of death for both victims was determined to be from multiple stab wounds.

The defendant was arrested at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington on July 26, 2010 where he was admitted for injuries.  He has remained in custody since his arrest. 

The Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the case are Thomas O’Reilly, Alice Casey, and Jamie Charles.  The Victim Witness Advocates are Anne Foley and Katie Keefe.  This case was investigated by the Lowell Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.