Mathew Borges, age 15,and Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino of Lawrence were friends. Mathew killed Lee, police say t.co/bknRL8sf6i #mapoli
A 15-year-old boy is accused of beheading and mutilating a teenage classmate, but the motive for the grisly murder is unclear.
Mathew Borges allegedly killed Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino, 16. Viloria-Paulino’s headless body was found on a river bank near Boston, Massachusetts in a town called Lawrence.
Burges allegedly confessed to the crime but hasn’t said why he did it. The victim’s forearms were allegedly cut off as well.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Victim Was Described as a Deep Thinker Who Loved Art
Viloria-Paulino was described by his family members as an “open-minded” person and “great thinker” who loved art and music, but who had been feeling depressed recently. He also enjoyed smoking marijuana, they said.
Viloria-Paulino’s father lives in the Dominican Republic, and he was living with his mother and grandmother.
The victim was last seen on November 18 and video showed him leaving his home with Borges, said The Eagle Tribune. The victim’s family says police mistakenly treated the victim’s disappearance as a runaway situation.
2. Both Boys Were Students at Lawrence High School
DA Jon Blodgett says 16 y.o. Mathew Borges charged with murder of Lee Viloria-Paulino. Also 16. Both students at Lawrence HS. @NECN
Borges and Viloria-Paulino were sophomores at the same high school.
Despite his youthful age, Borges is being tried as an adult, said The Eagle-Tribune. His defense attorney said he was a student in “good standing” who had a part-time job, according to The Huffington Post.
3. Borges Told Police He Was Smoking ‘Pot’ by the River With the Victim Before the Attack
16 year old Mathew Borges charged with the murder of Lee Paulino. They were classmates at Lawrence High #wcvb
ABC News said that Borges told police “he and Viloria-Paulino had gone to the river on Nov. 18 to smoke pot and later parted ways.”
The network said Viloria-Paulino’s body was found near the Merrimack River by a dog walker. “His forearms had also been cut off, but it was unclear if they were recovered,” said ABC.
4. Classmates Described Borges as Angry & Lacking Emotion
Mathew Borges in his mugshot.
Classmates at the high school told The Boston Herald that Borges was smart, especially at physics, but was angry and prone to fighting.
After his friend disappeared, he showed no emotion, the newspaper said. He also showed no emotional reaction during a court arraignment, said The Eagle Tribune.
5. Borges Confessed While Making Stabbing Motions, Police Say
ABC News said Borges allegedly told someone else that he had “done something bad” and had “stabbed a kid and cut his head off killing him.”
He allegedly made stabbing motions and motions indicating he had cut the victim’s head off when he confessed, said Fox 25 Boston, which added that police received a tip about the alleged confession.