The body of a Massachusetts mother who was reported missing early Saturday morning was found in a wooded area near a lake in a nearby town, authorities said Tuesday.
Carol Flaz-Burgos, 37, was last seen leaving her home in Lawrence, Mass. around 9 a.m. on Saturday and was reported missing later that day.
Lawrence Police Department officers initially searched her apartment and building before they were joined by detectives from the Massachusetts State Police, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said Tuesday at a news conference held at Lawrence Police Headquarters.
For the following three days, local and state police used K9 units, digital forensic evidence and a state police helicopter in what Tucker described as an “around-the-clock effort” to locate Flaz-Burgos.
The search led authorities to an area near Winnekenni Castle beside Kenoza Lake in Haverhill, some 10 miles north of Lawrence, late on Tuesday.
“Unfortunately, we have a sad ending to report,” Tucker said. “The body of Carol Flaz-Burgos was discovered this evening.”
After the victim was positively identified, police spoke with the family. While police haven’t released any information about the victim’s kids, local television station WHDH has referred to them as “two young children.”
A suspect, who “lives in the same building as Flaz-Burgos” has been taken into custody Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
Christian Montero, 35, is charged with witness intimidation and misleading an investigation. However, he could soon face a murder charge depending on the results of an autopsy, according to the district attorney.
“The forensic evidence, the digital evidence that we have, the location of where the body was found have all led us to believe that we expect a murder charge to come within the next couple of days,” Tucker told reporters.
On Wednesday, Lawrence Mayor Brian De Peña said the situation was “not easy” for Flaz’s family or the community, but he thanked “everyone for working together.”
“It is a tough day for the City of Lawrence,” the mayor said.
Montero will be arraigned in Lawrence District Court on Wednesday “at a time yet to be determined,” according to the district attorney’s office.