Woman Dies Trying To Break Up Family Fight In Methuen

METHUEN (CBS) – A woman died after trying to break up a family fight in Methuen and her niece is now facing charges.

Police were called a home on Bicknell Avenue late Sunday night for a report of a fight and an unresponsive woman.

They say 63-year-old Martina Gomez attempted to break up that fight among relatives when she "appeared to suffer from medical distress," according to the Essex District Attorney's Office.

Gomez was rushed to Lawrence General Hospital where she died.

"The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy today to determine the cause and manner of death," D.A. spokesperson Carrie Kimball Monahan said in a statement.

Gomez's niece, 23-year-old Modesta Gomez, is charged with two counts of assault and battery, assault and battery on a person over 60, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

According to the D.A., Modesta drove from Lawrence to the Methuen home because of a dispute on Snapchat. She allegedly assaulted her cousin and then struck Martina Gomez in the face when she tried to intervene. When Martina fell to the ground, prosecutors say Modesta repeatedly closed the front door on Martina's body.

Modesta was arraigned Monday afternoon in Lawrence District Court and is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Friday.