LYNN, MASS. (WHDH) - A 26-year-old Lynn man appeared in court Thursday after he was arrested in connection with the death of his brother’s 25-year-old pregnant girlfriend in Lynn.
Prosecutors said a maintenance crew found Brianna Welsh’s body in her apartment on the Lynnway Wednesday morning after her mother requested a wellness check. Welsh had multiple apparent stab wounds, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said law enforcement arrested Zachary Vozzella in connection with the stabbing and charged him with murder. In addition to murder, Vozzella was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Prosecutors said Vozzella had been living in the apartment with Welsh and his brother, Brendon.
Before Welsh’s murder, prosecutors said, police arrested Brendon Vozzella on Tuesday after he allegedly hit Welsh in the stomach.
Brendon never returned to the apartment after his arrest and was cleared by investigators of any role in Welsh’s murder.
Zachery, though, allegedly came back to the apartment at one point and stabbed Welsh to death, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said investigators later found Welsh’s apartment key fob, a bloody kitchen knife, and bloody clothes in a trash bag at an apartment elsewhere in Lynn after a security camera caught Zachery Vozzella arriving with bags of evidence.
“It’s just shocking,” said George Sowpel, who had Welsh as a student in high school.
“I would describe her as a very engaged student in high school,” Sowpell continued. “She gave 100% to her classroom assignments.”
Zachery’s attorney, Francisco Napolitano, said his client denies he killed anyone.
Members of Welsh’s family were emotional in court and had no comment when approached by reporters after Zachary’s arraignment.
“The tragic violence that has taken the life of Brianna Welsh and her unborn child has created an unbearable loss for her family,” said Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker in a statement. “While their loss cannot be repaired or remedied, I hope that our efforts to seek justice on her behalf assures them that we and the community support them.”
Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson shared his own reaction, saying “I am so sorry for the devastating loss of Brianna Welsh.”
“That she was an expectant mother makes this even more tragic, chilling, outrageous, and impossible to comprehend,” Nicholson said.
“I appreciate the work of first responders and law enforcement, and while many questions remain to be answered by the ongoing investigation, our city is left with a profound grief,” he continued.
Zachary Vozzella pleaded not guilty in Lynn District Court late Thursday morning and was ordered held without bail. He is due back in court in September.
Brendon Vozzella was arraigned on charges of assault and battery on a pregnant victim and assault and battery on a family member on Wednesday. He is due back in court on Aug. 6.
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