WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — A West Bridgewater man could be arraigned on a murder charge as early as Tuesday after he was accused of beating a 72-year-old woman to death with a fireplace log.
Julia Fernandez was found dead inside her Columbus Avenue home Sunday night.
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Police said they were able to identify Danny Lopes Jr. 34, as a suspect in Fernandez’s killing, and police in North Providence were able to take him into custody Monday morning.
Officials said Lopes lived in the home with Fernandez.
“She was found to have been bludgeoned about the head,” Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz said. “At this time we believe the murder weapon was a fireplace log.”
Officials said Fernandez was a long-time girlfriend of Lopes’ late father, Daniel Lopes Sr., who died in 2003.