Revere Man Convicted in Domestic Violence Murder
BOSTON, November 18, 2019 — A Suffolk Superior Court jury today found ANDREW MacCORMACK, 31, of Revere, guilty of first-degree murder in the homicide of his wife, Vanessa Masucci, inside the home they shared.
During the course of 11 days of testimony, Assistant District Attorney Ian Polumbaum, Chief of District Attorney Rollins’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit and Assistant District Attorney Brian LeBlanc presented evidence and testimony to prove that Ms. Masucci had become fed up with the defendant’s erratic and evasive behavior and was preparing to leave the marriage. In text message exchanges during the month prior to her murder, the victim told the defendant that she intended to sell their house and seek out a divorce attorney. Earlier in the year, the defendant forged checks to himself from Ms. Masucci’s personal bank account and took one of her credit cards, which she had reported stolen. In addition, the victim’s wedding ring disappeared – as did the ring purchased with insurance money to replace it. MacCormack also pawned his own wedding band for $120.
On September 23, 2017, the defendant left home but returned after his mother, who lived with the family, had left the house. The evidence proved that he strangled, stabbed, and viciously beat his wife Vanessa in their bedroom, all while the couple’s then-1-year-old daughter was inside the home.
In addition to the injuries that took her life, Vanessa’s body sustained chemical burns after her death. The evidence showed that these burns, and a rash that he had on his own upper body, were caused by bleach that the defendant used in an attempt to clean up the scene.
The defendant, for several hours drove seemingly random routes around the Revere area and then brought his daughter with him to a friend’s home in Saugus, where he completed a carpentry job. On the way there, he texted the victim’s phone to create the appearance that he was unaware of her death. After finishing the carpentry job, and with his daughter in the car, the defendant then drove to East Boston where he purchased $100 in cocaine from his long-time dealer.
During the course of the day, the defendant received phone calls from Ms. Masucci’s parents, who had become worried when they were unable to reach their daughter. The defendant was on the phone with the victim’s mother when he arrived home, and reported that he had discovered Vanessa’s body.
“Vanessa Masucci’s future was violently ripped away from her by the person who took an oath, promising to love and care for her. I will not refer to Vanessa by her married name because the man who took her life will not also take her identity,” District Attorney Rollins said. “Vanessa’s loved ones – her parents, her siblings, and her daughter – have been left with a void in their hearts and questions that can never be answered. I’m grateful to my prosecutors and victim witness advocates, the Revere Police Department, and the State Police detectives assigned to my office who worked to hold Vanessa’s murderer accountable and to bring a small amount of comfort to her loved ones. We will continue to serve as a resource to their family as they enter the next chapter of their grief.”
Domestic violence impacts individuals of all races, genders, and backgrounds. It is about power and control. If you or someone you know has been affected by domestic violence and are in immediate danger call 911. SafeLink, a statewide DV hotline, can be reached at 877-785-2020. SafeLink is answered by trained advocates 24 hours a day in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, as well as TTY at 877-521-2601. It also has the capacity to provide multilingual translation in more than 140 languages. In Suffolk County, victim witness advocates assigned to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office can help survivors with safety planning, obtaining restraining orders, and accessing services, regardless of whether they choose to participate in the prosecution of their abuser.
Kate Lagana, Deputy Chief of District Attorney Rollins’ Victims Witness Assistance Program, is the assigned victim witness advocate to this case. The defendant is represented by attorneys John Hayes and Alyssa Hackett. Sentencing before Judge Mary Ames will take place on Dec. 2 in courtroom 815 of Suffolk Superior Court.
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 25,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs more than 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.