Cotuit Man Held Without Bail In Wife's Murder
COTUIT (CBS) -- A Barnstable man was arraigned on murder charges in the killing of his wife early Tuesday morning.
Christopher Fratantonio, 36, is charged with killing Mary Fratantonio, 35, in their Trout Brook Road home in Cotuit. He was ordered held without bail.
Sources told WBZ-TV's Bill Shields that the couple's children, ages 2 and 6, were home at the time of the murder.
Police went to the house around 1:50 a.m. Tuesday after several 911 calls reported a violent crime there.
Fratantonio had a breaking and entering charge against him in 1999, but had no criminal record otherwise.
Mary Fratantonio, who also went by "Molly," was a special education teacher at Barnstable High School.
"We are deeply saddened by this loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Molly's family, friends, and loved ones. Molly was a recent addition to the high school staff, starting in September as a special education teacher. Staff and students are deeply saddened by her death. The crisis team will be providing support services to any adult or student that is in need," Superintendent Meg Mayo-Brown said in a statement.
Neighbors of the Fratantonios in Cotuit were not aware of any family problems.
"We never suspected anything. So, I don't know," Richard Aliberti told WBZ.
At 1 am, police received a 911 call. When they got to the home, they found Chris Fratantonio in the front yard. His wife was in he bedroom. She'd been stabbed to death.
Police reports indicate that noise had been coming from the house after midnight. At least one neighbor called police to check on the family.
In court Tuesday, Chris Fratantonio said nothing. But prosecutors said the flooring contractor talked with police after they arrived at the house.
"He made statements to the police, leading officers to believe he had stabbed his wife, the victim, to death," prosecutor Daniel Higgins said.
His next court appearance will be on March 27.
Parents in Barnstable leading painful conversations with their kids, after the brutal murder of a beloved teacher. Joy Pineo said she had a difficult conversation with her son.
"We actually walked home from the bus and talked about it. I didn't want him to hear from anyone else," Pineo said.
She added that she wouldn't have expected Chris Fatantonio to be capable of murder.
"He seemed like just a normal dad," Pineo said.
As the school day wore on, students struggled with how something so bad could be done to someone so good.
"Somebody I could trust. Somebody who is there for my he would always help me with my schoolwork. And my projects," student Luke Pineo said.
Luke's mom asked not to be on camera, but said Mrs Fratantonio didn't just praise kids for grades. She also celebrated their kindness.
"She wanted to help. She was kind. Loving and so supportive. She was a great neighbor. Great mom," Joy Pineo said.
Grief counselors will be available to students and staff this week, as they mourn the loss of a bright smile in the hallways, and an educator who made kids believe in themselves.
"She said I would do great, and I believed that," Luke Pineo said.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports
