Four homicides stun community
WEST BROOKFIELD – As the community mourns the loss of three children and their mother, who were killed inside their home on Old Warren Rd, the Worcester District Attorney’s office and West Brookfield Police Department continue seeking leads and evidence in the case.
Police took to the skies Tuesday in the hopes of locating a yellow fuel can they believe may be related to these four homicides. They were found Thursday afternoon after a relative requested help from police with a well-being check.
Around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday Sara Bermudez, 38, and her three children Madison, 8, James, 6, and Michael, 2, were found following a call to West Brookfield police for a wellness check. Her husband and the father's children, Moses Bermudez, was in California at the time.
Officers from the State Police through the DA’s office, Warren, New Braintree and Hardwick police as well as the Massachusetts state police incident command and the Massachusetts department of fire services special operations were investigating as well.
“The state police detectives assigned to the DA’s office and the West Brookfield investigators are seeking the public’s help at this time in what are we now calling the homicide deaths of a mother and her three children at 10 Old Warren Road,” said District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. on Saturday, March 3. “Our investigators want the public to be on the lookout for a discarded yellow fuel can. Police believe the fuel container is missing from the home.”
On Monday, March 5, the West Brookfield police tweeted that the state police air wing “will be making reconnaissance flights in town this morning, looking for the missing diesel can.”
Early said anyone with any information regarding the discarded fuel container or that may have witnessed any suspicious activity from Wednesday, Feb. 28 through Friday, March 2, report to the state police dispatch center at 508-867-1170.
Investigators are also asking for those with business or residential surveillance cameras or mounted dashboard cameras to report to the state police dispatch center.
Early Jr. reported on Friday, March 2 that the autopsies were being performed by the Massachusetts chief medical examiner’s office.
“We’re awaiting those results,” said Early. “We’re still very early in the investigation. The Massachusetts state police assigned to the DA’s office, West Brookfield police, and Massachusetts state police crime scene services are currently still investigating. This is a very active and ongoing investigation.”
West Brookfield Police Chief C. Thomas O’Donnell said that after speaking to some of the parents at the school, he understands the level of anxiety the situation has caused.
“We’re just letting people know take the steps that you feel you need to to be safe and keep your eyes and ears open,” said O’Donnell. “As the DA said, report anything no matter how inconsequential you think it is, through the State Police hotline.”
On the morning of March 2, a distraught family member who arrived at the home was taken into protective custody and was released later that day, according to Early. He said there have not been any arrests made in this case.
“We’re asking the public to remain vigilant and careful,” Early said. “This has been declared four homicides. Anything you see out of the ordinary please call us. We think that the public should remain safe careful and vigilant with regards to this investigation.”
Community comes together
As the investigation continues, the community has held events to support the family of the victims as well as residents.
On Sunday, March 4, a vigil was held at the First Congregation Church in West Brookfield.
There were roughly 170 people in attendance at the vigil.
“We’re here so that the Bermudez family knows that they’re not alone,” said Rev. Stacey Kullgren. “We’re here, too, to respond to our community’s trauma. This is a loss for all of us. We’ll be talking about when it’s time to get help and making sure that people know that there people here that they can turn to.”
Local clergy from surrounding towns were present as well and four candles, one for each life taken, were lit on the altar to an arrangement of “This Little Light of Mine.”
Quaboag Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Brett Kustigian provided updates via Facebook about the Quaboag community and supporting the students, faculty and staff.
Madison and James Bermudez were students at West Brookfield Elementary School. Kustigian said that during times of adversity and tragedy he is reminded of Fred Rogers from Mister Roger’s Neighborhood.
“Among many of the important life lessons he taught, Fred Rogers would tell people to look for the helpers in times of tragedy,” Kustigian wrote. “Today, I was surrounded by ‘helpers’ and the teamwork, dedication and caring attitude displayed by faculty and staff was awe-inspiring. I am humbled to work with all of the amazing educators in the Quaboag Regional School District.”
Kustigian thanked the local and state law enforcement agencies for their continued support at the schools as well as New England Patriot Nate Soldier, who visited West Brookfield Elementary school to lift the spirits of students on Friday.
This is the second tragedy the Quaboag school district has suffered this year, with three students from Quaboag Regional Middle High School, Jaclyn Desrosiers, Lena Noonan and Christian Congelos, dying in a one-car crash in West Brookfield this past Nov. 7.
“Quaboag has had its share of tragedy as of late, but one thing is for sure, the Quaboag community will overcome all adversity,” Kustigian said. “Our school community will survive, and we will be stronger, while never forgetting to remember those who have passed on. Our tight-knit community is full of ‘helpers’ and we will always rally together for our most precious resource - our students.”
He also wrote that the schools are striving to return to a normal routine and there will be support not only in the form of extra counselors available at West Brookfield Elementary School. A session was also held for parents to ask questions and discuss the tragedy on Wednesday, he said.
