Pablo Vicente charged with missing Salem woman Nayeli Nieves' murder, police continue search for body
SALEM - Police say Pablo Vicente confessed to murdering his girlfriend, Nayeli Nieves, and disposing of her body in the dumpster of the victim's Salem apartment complex.
Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker announced Tuesday that the 33-year-old has been charged in Nieves' disappearance and murder.
Investigators say Vicente confessed to choking the 20-year-old in front of her 9-month-old and 3-year-old children, then lived with the children and the body for three days, before putting it in the dumpster.
Police said they are continuing to search for Nieves' remains as of Tuesday afternoon.
Her heartbroken father and family left a memorial of candles and balloons outside the apartment complex where the young mother was brutally murdered.
"He just wants justice like we all do, we want her body found, we want an answer to everything that's going on and we just want justice for her," said Sister-in-law Janessa Sosa and the victim's father Samuel Nieves.
Prosecutors said one of Vicente's relatives contacted a Lynn police detective who he was acquainted with. The relative told the detective that Vicente admitted he had killed Nieves and disposed of her body.
The detective contacted Salem police, who found evidence of foul play at the victim's Pope Street home.
Both children have been placed in the care of the Department of Children and Families.
The victim's family says they will be fighting to get the children back, and Vicente has a history of violence against Nieves.
They say he was charged with domestic violence against Nayeli in 2019 and had a restraining order from Lowell just this year.
They wonder what more could have been done to keep her safe.
"What she deserves, what any mother deserves, what any victim of domestic violence in a tragedy like this," said Sosa and Nieves.
A not guilty plea was entered for Vicente during a Tuesday arraignment. He is being held without bail on a murder charge and is next scheduled for a probable cause hearing on September 8.
Prosecutors said Nieves' death "highlighted the persistent problem of domestic violence."