DA: Well-known nurse shot, killed at her Braintree home by former neighbor

BRAINTREE, Mass. — A 59-year-old woman was murdered in Braintree Wednesday and her 61-year-old former neighbor was arrested, according to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office.

The woman, identified as Laurie Melchionda, a well-known nurse, was rushed to South Shore Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Calls to 911 came in shortly before noon Wednesday from neighbors reporting a shooting. They provided a description of a suspect, according to DA Michael Morrissey.

Officers arrived on scene and found a person matching the description at the door to the home where the shooting was reported.

Robert Bonang, 61, was arrested at the scene. Morrissey said he is a former resident of the neighborhood where the shooting occurred.

Police say they found Melchionda in the doorway to the home suffering from multiple injuries.

Morrissey said the shooting appeared to be targeted as Bonang lived in the neighborhood alongside Melchionda for “many years,” though he hasn’t lived on Howie Road for at least six years. Bonang now lives in Marshfield.

Morrissey added there had been previous complaints involving the suspect, Bonang, in the area in the past. When asked if the victim, Melchionda, had made complaints about Bonang, Morrissey said, “I’m not going to get into that.”

Melchionda, who worked as the Director of Health Services for Weston Public Schools for the past two years, is being remembered fondly by the students she helped.

“Everyone in Braintree knows who she is,” said Abby, a former student. “Even though I was young and stuff she was definitely a huge part of my life. I was at the nurse every single day when I was in elementary school because I struggled with anxiety and she sat by my side the whole time and rode it out with me every single time and there for me a lot and she was just like a mother to everybody.”

The superintendent issued a statement mourning Melchionda’s death saying, in part:

“Most recently, Laurie was the primary liaison between the schools and the Weston Board of Health throughout the COVID-19 crisis and was instrumental in guiding and supporting the school and the town. We are suffering a tremendous loss. Laurie brought professionalism, expertise, warmth, and caring to our school community every day. We will be spending many difficult moments grieving her loss.”

The DA says Bonang will be held Wednesday night and be arraigned on murder and firearms charges Thursday.

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