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Boston man found guilty in murder of NJ woman found dead, burned
A Boston man is awaiting sentencing after he was convicted for his role in the murder of a New Jersey woman whose body was found burning seven-and-a-half years ago in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz announced Wednesday that 51-year-old Fernando Owens, of Dorchester, was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in the 2015 death of 29-year-old Ashley Bortner.On Nov. 3, 2015, Bridgewater police received a 911 call shortly before midnight, reporting a fire that was burning alongside the MBTA Commuter Rail train tracks. Officers determined that the fire was a burning human body, which was later identified as Bortner.Authorities said more than 70% of Bortner’s body had been burned, she had been gagged and her face was wrapped with a towel. Her hands and feet were also bound behind her.Massachusetts State Police investigators determined that Owens was acquainted with Bortner and believed she somehow played a role in the murder of his son, which happened in Suffolk County.Cruz said state police seized an electrical cord and a cotton towel from Owens’ home during their investigation that linked Owens to the murder.Owens fled the United States shortly after Borchard’s murder, but he was captured by authorities in the Dominican Republic, according to Cruz.The district attorney said a jury deliberated 10 hours after a seven-day trial before finding Owens guilty in the case. Owens will be sentenced at 10 a.m. Friday in Plymouth Superior Court in Brockton.Cruz also said 48-year-old Julian Squires and 46-year-old Shannon Squires were additionally charged in their roles in Bortner’s murder. Prosecutors said the Squires, a couple from Manchester, New Hampshire, were in Bridgewater around the time of the 911 call to police and assisted Owens in killing Bortner and disposing of her body.Julian Squires is currently serving a mandatory sentence of life in prison after being found guilty of murder and kidnapping on June 2, 2022.Shannon Squires is next scheduled to appear in court on July 20.Previous coverage:
A Boston man is awaiting sentencing after he was convicted for his role in the murder of a New Jersey woman whose body was found burning seven-and-a-half years ago in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz announced Wednesday that 51-year-old Fernando Owens, of Dorchester, was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in the 2015 death of 29-year-old Ashley Bortner.
On Nov. 3, 2015, Bridgewater police received a 911 call shortly before midnight, reporting a fire that was burning alongside the MBTA Commuter Rail train tracks. Officers determined that the fire was a burning human body, which was later identified as Bortner.
Authorities said more than 70% of Bortner’s body had been burned, she had been gagged and her face was wrapped with a towel. Her hands and feet were also bound behind her.
Massachusetts State Police investigators determined that Owens was acquainted with Bortner and believed she somehow played a role in the murder of his son, which happened in Suffolk County.
Cruz said state police seized an electrical cord and a cotton towel from Owens’ home during their investigation that linked Owens to the murder.
Owens fled the United States shortly after Borchard’s murder, but he was captured by authorities in the Dominican Republic, according to Cruz.
The district attorney said a jury deliberated 10 hours after a seven-day trial before finding Owens guilty in the case. Owens will be sentenced at 10 a.m. Friday in Plymouth Superior Court in Brockton.
Cruz also said 48-year-old Julian Squires and 46-year-old Shannon Squires were additionally charged in their roles in Bortner’s murder. Prosecutors said the Squires, a couple from Manchester, New Hampshire, were in Bridgewater around the time of the 911 call to police and assisted Owens in killing Bortner and disposing of her body.
Julian Squires is currently serving a mandatory sentence of life in prison after being found guilty of murder and kidnapping on June 2, 2022.
Shannon Squires is next scheduled to appear in court on July 20.
