Man held without bail in connection to Worcester woman's suspicious death

WORCESTER, Mass. - When investigators first found Marlene Bleu faced down in the water on Lake Quinsigamond, they ruled her death as an "accidental drowning."

However, further investigation suggested Bleu was strangled.

Joseph Dalrymple of Shrewsbury was the last person seen with Bleu and has since been charged with hurting her.

Bleu's body was discovered nearly a week ago on Saturday and Dalrymple was arrested Thursday night in connection to her death.

In court on Friday, Dalrymple shook his head as his charges were read to him before pleading not guilty.

Bleu's mother was in court on Friday for Dalrymple's arraignment, saying she's still devastated over the loss of her daughter. Her mother says she doesn't know the man suspected of strangling her daughter.

"I've gone through the crying, the numbness [and] now I'm just pissed and I want justice for her, if nothing else I can give her I can give her justice," said Bleu's mother.

The medical examiner is still trying to determine the cause and manner of Bleu's death.

Dalrymple is being held without bail until his dangerousness hearing next Wednesday.

MORE: Arrest made in Worcester woman's death

Cox Media Group