Police Seek Mother, Son Killer

Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz in a press conference said not only was a 25-year-old woman found in a duffel bag in a Brockton dumpster, her 2 1/2 year-old son was also found.
Cruz identified the woman as 25-year-old Maria Avelina Palaguachi, who lived at 427 Warren Ave. and her 2 1/2 year-old son Brian.
"This is a heinous act," Cruz said, noting investigators do not believe the pair's death are a random act and that they have a suspect. "Who would do that to a 2 1/2 year-old child," Cruz said.
No one has been arrested in the case, Cruz said, and no cause of death was given. Cruz said autopsies on the bodies were expected to be completed sometime this afternoon.
Cruz implored anyone who saw anything or might have information to contact investigators at 508-941-0234.
Police began an investigation Sunday night after receiving an anonymous tip at 9:18 p.m. from a female caller reporting she found a body of a woman in a dumpster at the intersection of Warren Avenue and W. Park Street. The woman hung up but told police she saw a leg, a boot and buttocks.
It was not until Cruz's press conference was it known that a second boy, the one of 2 1/2 year-old Brian was also found in what has been described as a duffel bag thrown in the dumpster.
Cruz said while the scene was gruesome, both bodies were intact. He said information from family members indicates Palaguachi has another child, but Brian is the only one living in this country. Cruz did not say from what country Palaguachi came before coming to the U.S.
Cruz deferred questions surrounding a pickup truck that was towed as evidence and in what position the bodies were found because it is an ongoing investigation.