Motive for 20-year-old man's murder remains a mystery

WORCESTER, Mass. — The only words Julia Enright uttered in court Thursday morning were "not guilty."

The 21-year-old from Ashburnham is charged with murder in the death of Brandon Chicklis, who disappeared in June and was discovered the next month along Route 119 in Rindge, New Hampshire.

MORE: DA: 21-year-old woman charged in death of Westminster man found in NH

Prosecutors say there is strong DNA evidence in this case, and according to investigators, Enright admitted she was with Chicklis back in June -- the day he was last seen alive.

"[The medical examiner] Ruled the death was a homicide and the victim suffered multiple stab wounds," Worcester County Assistant District Attorney Terry James McLaughlin told the court.

The assistant district attorney said Enright initially gave different versions of her story, but eventually confessed to being with Chicklis June 23.

"The defendant ultimately acknowledged or admitted to authorities she had been with  the victim that day," McLauhglin said. "They had spent most of the day together at her residence, but she hadn't seen him after three o'clock that afternoon."

Investigators said Chicklis' blood was found in Enright's car and in a tree house located right next to her property, which is down a long, private driveway in Ashburnham.

Prosecutors said Chicklis’ cell phone also confirmed he was at Enright’s home on Packard Hill Road June 23.

Last Summer, Boston 25 News reporter Bob Ward sat down with Brandon's father, Paul Chicklis. He told Boston 25 the pair were friends.

The motive for Brandon’s murder hasn’t been made clear.

Enright is being held without bail tonight. Her next court appearance is Feb. 28.

MORE: 'Everything was fine': Family, friends help father cope with immeasurable loss

Cox Media Group