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City of Methuen Provides Update on Relief Efforts for Fire Victims

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Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

City of Methuen Provides Update on Relief Efforts for Fire Victims

METHUEN — Mayor Stephen Zanni and Chief Joseph Solomon are updating the community after raising more than $18,000 to assist the Methuen residents who were displaced after the building fire at 11 Ashton Place last week.

Just after 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, Methuen Police and Fire responded to the two-alarm fire. The apartment building and its 21 units were destroyed.

According to the Red Cross, 51 people were displaced: 39 adults and 12 children.

Those displaced from the fire can speak with officials to discuss state aid from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today by reporting to Sanborn Hall at the Methuen Police Station, 90 Hampshire St.

The city has received more than $18,000 in cash donations from various organizations, including the Methuen Police Patrolman’s Association, Methuen City Council, Methuen Firefighters – Local 1691, and Mayor Zanni himself.

Residents who wish to donate money to the victims of the fire can drop off a check made out to the “City of Methuen” to the following locations:

  • Methuen Fire Department, Central Fire Station, 24 Lowell St.
  • Methuen Police Department, 90 Hampshire St.Residents who wish to make an electronic donation can visit the Debbie’s Treasure Chest website. All donations made to Debbie’s Treasure Chest from today through Jan. 1 will be donated to the victims.

While monetary donations will still be graciously accepted, officials are no longer accepting clothing or toys for those displaced.

The City wishes to acknowledge the following agencies for their direct assistance:

  • The Psychological Center Inc.
  • MEMA (Mass Emergency Management Agency)
  • Mass Division of Insurance
  • Mass Division of Housing and Community Development
  • Methuen Housing Authority
  • Debbie’s Treasure Chest
  • CTI
  • Emmaus
  • GLCAC (Greater Lawrence Community Action Counsel)

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*Joint Press Release* Victims Identified in Ashby Murder-Suicide

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Ashby Police Department
Fred Alden, Chief of Police
893 Main Street
Ashby, MA 01431

For Immediate Release

Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-841-9948
Email: [email protected]

Victims Identified in Ashby Murder-Suicide

ASHBY – Police Chief Fred Alden and Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan have confirmed that at approximately 1:37 p.m. Friday, August 26, Ashby Police officers responded to a report of a death on Watatic Mountain Road in Ashby. Upon arrival they observed an adult male and female to be deceased.

The individuals have been identified as Rebecca Griffin, 51, of Fitchburg, and John Griffin, 55, the resident of the home on Watatic Mountain Road. The two deceased were previously married but divorced in approximately 1990. Rebecca Griffin would come by her ex husband’s home to help him with errands.

On Friday, the two deceased were discovered on the front lawn of John Griffin’s home. According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner both individuals died from multiple sharp-force wounds indicative of the use of a knife.  The investigation revealed that John Griffin inflicted sharp-force injuries to Rebecca Griffin outside of the home. Afterwards John Griffin then died from self-inflicted sharp-force wounds.

“This is a senseless and tragic crime,” stated District Attorney Ryan. “Rebecca Griffin would come to her ex husband’s home to assist him with day-to-day errands such as grocery shopping and bringing him to doctor’s appointments and sadly, she lost her life in the interest of helping him.”

“Ashby is a small, quiet town where incidents like these are not common,” Chief Alden said. “This was an isolated situation and at no time was the public ever in danger. Thank you to our residents for their patience and understanding during our investigation.”

Next of kin have been notified and this is an open and active investigation being conducted by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office and the Ashby Police Department

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