Man Charged in Connection with Murder of Lowell Man in his Wilder Street Home

LOWELL – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Lowell Police Superintendent Kelly Richardson have confirmed that Anthony “Tony” Massetti, 53, was arrested today on the charge of murder in connection with the death of Eril Ligonde, 51, of Lowell. 

Massetti was located today at approximately 1:30 p.m. in Chelmsford in an area known to be frequented by members of the homeless community. Massetti was taken into custody by Chelmsford police without incident. At the time of his arrest Massetti was in possession of a handgun belonging to the victim. Massetti was booked at the Chelmsford Police Department and transported to the Lowell Police Department. He will be arraigned tomorrow in Lowell District Court.

On Saturday, September 28, at approximately 5:09 p.m. Lowell Police responded to a 911 call made by a tenant of the Wilder Street residence regarding an unresponsive male located in the home.  Upon arrival police found the victim on the floor with apparent trauma. The victim was pronounced dead on scene and the case was referred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner who determined the following day that the cause of death was blunt force injuries and that the manner of death was homicide. Investigators subsequently determined that Anthony Massetti, who was known to the victim, had been at the residence in the days leading up to the attack. The preliminary investigation suggests that Massetti allegedly attacked the victim on Friday, September 27 before fleeing the residence. After following several investigative leads police requested help from law enforcement partners, media and members of the public to help locate the suspect. Massetti was located today along the railroad tracks in Chelmsford by a Chelmsford Police officer who was searching the area as part of the investigation into this matter.

This is an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Lowell Police and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney’s Office with the assistance of Chelmsford Police. Additional charges are expected as the investigation into this matter continues.  

The Assistant District Attorneys assigned to this case are Suzanne Wiseman and Clarence Brown. The Victim Witness Advocate is Joe Bernstein.