Suspicious Death Under Investigation in Malden

MALDEN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Malden Chief of Police Glenn Cronin have confirmed the ongoing investigation into a death that was discovered  last week in Malden.

On Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Malden Police were called to an apartment building on Kennedy Drive. There, officers located a male resident, later identified as 79-year-old Ronald Gilbert. Mr. Gilbert was found deceased inside his second floor apartment. It was apparent that Mr. Gilbert had been deceased for some time. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) accepted the case and a ruling on the cause and manner of death is pending.  Based on the preliminary information received from the OCME, this is being investigated as a suspicious death.

As part of the active investigation into this matter, it was determined that an item of Mr. Gilbert’s property was missing. Police were subsequently able to locate the missing property and a warrant has been issued related to the larceny for Dion Smith, 33 of Boston. 

Police are actively looking for Mr. Smith at this time. Anyone with any information about his whereabouts should not approach him and should immediately contact Malden Police at 781-322-1212.

Dion Smith

Updated photo of Smith's tattoos

Dion Smith is described as a balding, black male with brown eyes and is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds.

This is an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and Malden Police.