Contact: Beth Stone- (508) 584-8120
BROCKTON – A Dorchester man and a New Hampshire married couple have been indicted on charges for their roles in the murder and disposal of a victim found dead and burned in Bridgewater, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
A Plymouth County Grand Jury this afternoon issued indictments against Fernando Owens (DOB: 09/04/72) of Dorchester, and Julian Squires (DOB: 12/08/74) and Shannon Squires (DOB: 07/04/76) in the murder of 29-year-old Ashley Bortner of New Jersey.
Owens, Julian Squires and Shannon Squires were all indicted by the Grand Jury today one count each of Murder and Aggravated Kidnapping. The charges against the Squires couple have been upgraded to Murder from Accessory to Murder charges.
Bridgewater Police received a 911 call at approximately 11:40 pm November 3, 2015 and responded to a fire burning beside MBTA train tracks and determined it was a human body that was later identified as Bortner. Her body had been burned over 70%, she had been gagged by clothing and her face was wrapped with a towel. Bortner’s hands and feet were also bound behind her.
State Police investigators have determined that Owens was acquainted with the victim in this case and police seized items from Owens’ Dorchester home that link him to the murder.
Today’s indictments allege that the Squires were in Bridgewater around the time of the 911 call to Bridgewater Police and that they assisted Owens in killing and disposing of Bortner’s body.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Owens and police are actively searching for him. The Squires are currently being held on bail.
State Police assigned to the District Attorney’s Office, Bridgewater Police, MBTA Police and Boston Police assisted with the investigation. Assistant District Attorneys Jessica Elumba and Brian Fahy are prosecuting the case.
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