The husband of a Massachusetts elementary school teacher found strangled and stabbed in the face and neck with a trash bag over her head has pleaded not guilty to murder.
Andrew MacCormack, 29, was indicted last month in the death of Vanessa MacCormack, 30, who was found dead in their Revere, Massachusetts, home in September.
Assistant District Attorney Ian Polumbaum claimed, according to WCVB, that the murder occurred ‘following some conflict in the marriage.’ Included were financial problems ‘suspected drug use, denied by him but confirmed by the investigation.’
Andrew MacCormack was indicted last month in the death of Vanessa MacCormack, who was found dead in their Revere, Massachusetts, home in September
He added that a cocaine dealer told them that Andrew spent $400 to $500 a week on drugs.
Further investigation found that Vanessa had planned to sell their house and was moving towards divorce as Andrew had ‘ruined their lives.’
Assistant District Attorney Ian Polumbaum claimed that the murder occurred ‘following some conflict in the marriage.’ Included were financial problems ‘suspected drug use, denied by him but confirmed by the investigation
According to Polumbaum, Andrew left his home on September 23 around 8.30am and circled a nearby liquor store before returning.
He would go do carpentry at a friend’s house in Saugus before meeting up with a person in East Boston to buy cocaine around 2.15pm.
While waiting in a parking lot, Andrew sent text to Vanessa’s phone and also contacted her mother.
The prosecution believes the woman was already dead by then.
While on the phone with Vanessa’s mother, Andrew entered the home and said that her keys and car were both there.
Finding her on the floor, Andrew asked his mother-in-law to call 911, according to Polumbaum.
And while Vanessa’s mother wanted Andrew to conduct CPR, he claimed that she was already dead.
Polumbaum added that Vanessa was found face down with significant trauma to both her head and neck.
She had succumbed to multiple stab wounds to her back and sides of her neck and also had multiple slash wounds to the front of her neck. Vanessa also had broken bones and cartilage inside her neck.
According to the Assistant DA, no signs of forced entry were present and a strong odor of bleach was found inside the home.
He added that a cocaine dealer told them that Andrew spent $400 to $500 a week on drugs
Further investigation found that Vanessa had planned to sell their house and was moving towards divorce as Andrew had ‘ruined their lives.’
The woman’s body had chemical burns associated with bleach and Andrew told investigators that a rash he had with showing similar signs was allegedly from new detergent.
But no bleach or containers with such were found on the premises, according to Polumbaum.
However, traces of blood were found on the steering wheel, driver’s seat and door of Andrew’s car.
Polumbaum added that Vanessa was found face down with significant trauma to both her head and neck
They say MacCormack left the house with their 1-year-old daughter after the killing and went to buy cocaine. The home had been cleaned with bleach.
MacCormack’s lawyer says he denies the allegations.
He was charged with first-degree murder and ordered held without bail at his arraignment on Tuesday