Relative indicted on charges in W. Brookfield quadruple murder

WORCESTER, Mass. — A man from Ware, Massachusetts has been indicted for the murders of a mother and her three children.

Matthew Locke, 32, is the man police say killed Sara Bermudez, 38, Madison Bermudez, 8, James Bermudez, 6, and Michael Bermudez, 2.

The four family members were found dead in their West Brookfield Home on March 1, along with evidence that someone set a fire, according to police.

Locke has been charged in the four murders. He has also been indicted for armed burglary and arson.

He was first charged with misleading the police investigation into the murders.

Boston 25 News obtained two restraining orders taken out against Locke by the mother of his child.

In the first, taken out in 2009, she wrote:

"...He threatened me by trying to say he was going to choke me and strangle me... I am worried he will try to physically harm me."

In 2012, she wrote:

"He pushed me against the wall when I was pregnant. He has told me he wishes he could kill me sometimes and he is violent and unpredictable on drugs. I am afraid for my safety and especially my sons."

In June 2010, Maine authorities arrested Locke for arson after he admitted he set fire to a mobile home in the town of Lubec - 350 miles north of Boston.

The State Fire Marshal's Office says the incident resulted from a domestic situation and a violation of a protection order. Locke told authorities he used an ignitable liquid to light the side of the mobile home on fire while people were inside.

Locke is a first cousin to Moses Bermudez, Sara's husband and the father of her three children.

MORE: New details revealed about man connected to W. Brookfield murder case

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