Winchester Homicide Suspect Arrested in North Carolina

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Winchester Police Chief Kenneth Albertelli announced that police in Belmont, North Carolina arrested Matthew McAveeney this afternoon. He is in custody, held as a fugitive from justice on a Massachusetts warrant.

The defendant is expected to be brought before a judge on Wednesday in Gaston County District Court in Gastonia, North Carolina.

Police in Belmont, North Carolina stopped McAveeney in a store parking lot at approximately 3:45p.m. Tuesday afternoon and arrested him.

“In light of the terrible allegations in this incident, the horrific beating and murder of a 70-year-old woman in her own home, we are pleased that the defendant is now in custody,” District Attorney Ryan said. “We await his return to Massachusetts so that our prosecution can move forward.”

McAveeney has been charged with murder for the beating death of his mother, Barbara McAveeney, whose body was found in her Winchester apartment on October 14. Winchester Police discovered her body after a well-being check at her home.

"I am pleased with the amazing level of cooperation and hard work shown by police across multiple jurisdictions, who worked together to ensure that this alleged killer would not remain on the loose. This was a horrible crime, and all we can do as police officers is ensure that justice is served," Chief Albertelli said.

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