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Boston Mom Was Found Dead, Naked, Bruised And Bound With Duct Tape After Being Kidnapped
Louis Coleman III, 32, was seen on video dragging Jassy Correia's limp body into his apartment, then purchased supplies to get rid of the body, according to police.
A Boston mom who disappeared while she was out celebrating her 23rd birthday was found dead in a trunk, naked, bruised and bound with duct tape.
Police have arrested Louis Coleman III, 32, in the kidnapping of Jassy Correia after Delaware State Police found the young mom’s body in the trunk of his car during a traffic stop.
When officers asked him if he had anyone else with him in the car at the time, he allegedly told them “she’s in the trunk,” federal authorities said, according to MassLive.
Correia had been out celebrating her birthday with friends at a downtown Boston club on Saturday, Feb. 23. She was last seen leaving the club in the early morning hours on Sunday.
United States Attorney Andrew Lelling said Correia was captured on surveillance footage getting into Coleman’s car around 2 a.m., CBS News reports. Investigators were able to track his vehicle to a condominium in Providence, Rhode Island, and saw Coleman on surveillance footage getting out of the vehicle at the condo about two hours later.
He reportedly retrieved a blanket from inside and can then be seen carrying a body with “long hair and clothing consistent with the description of Ms. Correia,” into the building, officials said according to MassLive.
“Once he entered the building, surveillance video showed Coleman dropping the victim on the floor and dragging her towards the elevator, and subsequently towards his apartment unit. The victim was not moving and her body was limp,” officials said.
Correia is never seen leaving the building, but footage shows Coleman leaving the apartment two days later before returning with WalMart shopping bags.
Investigators obtained a receipt from the store that showed Coleman had purchased three Tyvex protective jumpsuits, duct tape, an odor respirator, two candles, a mask, gloves, bleach and safety goggles from the retailer.
The following day, on Sept. 27, he’s seen entering the building with a large suitcase and then later hauling the same suitcase out of the apartment and loading it into the trunk of his car.
Correia’s body was later found inside the suitcase. Investigators believe the young mom died of blunt force trauma and strangulation.
Lelling did not provide any details on a possible motive at the press conference Sunday.
Boston Police Chief William Gross vowed to get justice for the victim and her family.
"We want to send a message to predators and hunters that people are watching you, and we're not going to tolerate this in out city," Gross said, according to CBS News.
Coleman is facing a federal charge of kidnapping resulting in death, a charge that could lead to the death penalty, The Boston Globe reports. He will be returned back to Massachusetts.
Correia’s friends and family described her as a wonderful mom to her 2-year-old daughter Gabriella.
“She was very outgoing,” friend Amari Robinson told the local paper. “She could get along with anybody in the room.”
Robinson said the details of her high school friend’s death have been difficult to bear.
“We go to the same places. It could have really been anybody, any young female,” she said. “It’s been tough — you know, you have this very heavy weight in your stomach.”
