Documents: Body found burning in Worcester was wrapped in bubble wrap

WORCESTER, Mass. — An arrest has been made in connection with a suspicious death this week, Worcester Police tell Boston 25 News.

On Tuesday morning around 6 a.m., firefighters were called to a possible brush fire in the area of Granite Street and Otto Avenue in Worcester. There, firefighters discovered a burning human body in a wooded area. The victim was declared dead on scene.

According to court documents, there was evidence that the victim may have been "wrapped in bubble wrap packing material and a blanket."

The victim was identified as 30-year-old Benjamin Pacheco. The medical examiner said Pacheco had "suffered a sharp penetrating wound to the neck." According to documents, some bruising to the back was also noted.

His death has been determined a homicide.

Surveillance video captured a suspicious vehicle going up and down Granite Street that morning and according to documents, at one point stopped in the area of the crime scene for several minutes, "suggesting that it was likely the vehicle involved in dropping off the body and burning."

Documents obtained by Boston 25 News also say additional video from a nearby store that night showed the same individual in the same vehicle entering the store. They were able to get the license plate and ultimately identify the person in question as 35-year-old Rafael Guzman.

Officials say Guzman was a "known associate" of Pacheco. Witnesses said Guzman later acknowledged having been with Pacheco briefly on Monday afternoon, the day before Pacheco was found dead.

Boston 25 News later learned Pacheco is Guzman's step-uncle.

Surveillance video showed Guzman walking into his building early Tuesday morning with a large roll of plastic bubble wrapping material. Video also captured him backing his car up to the rear of his building and opening the trunk. Several minutes later, the trunk is closed and Guzman is seen driving away.

Guzman has been arrested for accessory after the fact to murder. He was arraigned Friday afternoon where he pleaded not guilty. He is due back in court next month.

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