Man charged with misleading investigators in connection with missing Massachusetts mom's death
LAWRENCE - The man arrested in connection with the death of a Lawrence, Massachusetts mother was arraigned on Wednesday. Cristian Montero was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing next week.
Montero, 35, was charged with intimidation of a witness and misleading investigators in the death of 37-year-old Carol Flaz-Burgos. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in Lawrence District Court.
Reported missing Aug. 31
Prosecutors said Flaz-Burgos, who worked as a home health aide, was reported missing on Aug. 31. She was last seen by her son at the apartment in Lawrence where she lived with her mother and two children. Her purse, keys and wallet were still on the counter when police came to investigate. When police called her cellphone several times, prosecutors said each call went to voicemail.
According to prosecutors, Flaz-Burgos was seen on surveillance video walking from her apartment to Montero's apartment. When she entered his apartment, she was allegedly seen on surveillance video texting and then making the sign of the cross. Two hours later, Montero was allegedly seen on surveillance video leaving his apartment with a wagon filled with clothes. During this time, prosecutors said data from Flaz-Burgos' cellphone showed the phone moving away from the apartment building and towards Haverhill.
Accused of misleading investigators
Montero allegedly told police he parked his car near a barbershop in Lawrence but surveillance video never showed his car on the street or Montero in the barbershop. Neighbors also showed WBZ-TV pictures of Montero attending a vigil and search party for Flaz-Burgos in the days before her body was found.
Montero was arrested after Flaz-Burgos' body was found in the woods late Tuesday night in Haverhill. Police have not said why they believe she was killed. An autopsy is being done to determine an exact cause of death and Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker believes Montero will face murder charges when it's complete.
"The moment that she walked into this office, she would light up the room," said Kendrys Vasquez of Best Home Healthcare Inc., where Flaz-Burgos worked. "Always with a bright smile. I'm devastated, frustrated, angry. It's a mix of emotions, honestly. Because having lost one of the good people, a good mother, a good friend, a good employee."
The relationship between Flaz-Burgos and Montero is unclear. Mutual friends don't believe they were romantically involved.
Montero is due back in court on Sept. 11 for a dangerousness hearing.