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Methuen woman found dead, ex-boyfriend named person of interest

METHUEN, Mass. — A 29-year-old single mother was found murdered in her Methuen apartment Monday. Police believe the woman was the victim of domestic violence by an ex-boyfriend, who is now wanted as a person of interest in connection with her killing.

Wanda Rosa was found unresponsive in her Tudor Street home around 5:45 a.m., after police responded to a wellbeing check. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Police are now seeking Rosa's ex-boyfriend and the father of her child, Emilio DeLarosa, 32, as a person of interest in her murder.

DeLarosa dropped off their 4-year-old son at a relative's house, Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said.

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

DeLarosa had recently been released from prison following a four-year incarceration after pleading guilty to assault and battery and kidnapping in 2012.

"[DeLarosa] grabbed Ms. Rosa and pointed the gun at her stomach area and forced her head down into the sofa attempting to suffocate her," a 2012 Lawrence Police Department report, obtained by FOX25, reads. "She states she tried to get him off, but he had the gun to her side and he then started to twist her neck as if trying to snap her neck."

DeLarosa then dragged Rosa by her hair and left her bleeding and with two black eyes, according to court paperwork.

He used a "bag full of (duct) tape, wrist wrap and a rope with a clear paper inside," to kidnap Rosa and their child, who was a baby at the time, and started to driving to Florida. During a stop in New Jersey, Rosa jumped out of the car with the baby and yelled for help before police arrived.

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Prior to the incident, in 2011, Rosa had requested a restraining order, alleging DeLarosa had "grabbed me by the neck... telling me this child is going to be left without a mom."

But in June of this year, after DeLarosa had been released, Rosa filed a motion to modify her abuse prevention order against DeLarosa.

"I would like to remove the order for no contact, but keep the order stating he may not abuse me," she wrote. "I would like this modification so that the defendant and I can do things together as a family."

REMEMBERING WANDA ROSA

Friends and neighbors told FOX25 Rosa was a good person and great mother.

"She was a caring, loving person," said Rosa's friend, Rolando Fuentes. "We all pretty much grew up in this neighborhood, so it's tough to see someone like that go away."

DA Blodgett said the four-year-old boy is safe and staying with a relative.

Methuen police asked anyone with information about Rosa's murder or DeLarosa's whereabouts to call them immediately, but stressed the general public is not in danger.

FOX25's Kathryn Burcham was at the scene Monday afternoon as the District Attorney identified the suspect and victim. You can watch her report from FOX25 News at 6.