Police: Son brutally attacked mother, left her for dead

WINCHESTER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Officials continue the search for a son wanted in connection with his mother's death.

Late Tuesday night, authorities issued a warrant for 46-year-old Matthew the McAveeney, the son of Barbara McAveeney, a woman found dead in a home that morning. Investigators were back at the home on Wednesday night and at least one officer had his gun drawn.

At 9 a.m. Tuesday, police conducted a well-being check at a home on Swanton Street, according to Winchester Police Chief Kenneth Albertelli.

Inside the home, officers found  the body of Bara McAveeney. At the time, police did not release many details, but said they did not believe her death was a random act.

Then, late Tuesday night, the Middlesex County District Attorney's office issued an arrest warrant for Matthew McAveeney. The warrant is for armed assault with intent to murder his mother, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury to her, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon on a person 60 years of age or older, assault and battery and two counts of cruelty to animals.

Police were back at the Parkview Condominium complex Wednesday night and at least one officer had his gun drawn.

Once inside, police made their way right to the condo where Barbara McAveeney's body was discovered. Police say they believe her unit was supposed to be unlocked for the cleaning crew, but when they arrived the door was locked and the back sliding door was open. Police were called and officers responded, concerned that Matthew McAveeney might have doubled back and was back inside his mother's unit.

After searching the complex and area, police did not find Matthew McAveeney.

New photos him were released Wednesday taken inside an ATM vestibule on Saturday. He appears much heavier that the original photos released of him.

A neighbor told FOX 25 Wednesday that back on Saturday, he remembers a strange odor coming from Barbara McAveeney's condo, that only got stronger until Tuesday, when her body was found.

Anyone with information about Matthew McAveeney's location is asked to call the Winchester Police at 781-729-1212 or the Massachusetts State Police at 508-820-2121.

Cox Media Group