NEWTON, Mass. – A Newton man is scheduled to appear in court and is being held without bail on charges related to the fatal assault of his wife at their home Saturday night, two days after a warrant was issued away against him, authorities said. sunday
Richard Hanson, 64, has been charged with assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury in connection with the death of his wife, Nancy Hanson, 54, the Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Newton. Police Chief John Carmichael said in a statement.
Nancy Hanson died two days after a restraining order was issued against her husband Thursday in Newton District Court, which Newton police had tried to serve, Ryan said.
According to sources, officers had been unable to locate Hanson to serve this restraining order despite several attempts to locate them.
At approximately 8:21 p.m. Saturday, a juvenile at the couple’s Brookline Street home called 911 to report the assault in progress, Ryan said. When police arrived, they found Nancy Hanson suffering from apparent blunt force injuries, Ryan said. She was taken by ambulance to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she died.
A preliminary investigation found that during a physical altercation, Richard Hanson allegedly struck his wife with one or more objects several times, Ryan said.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has ruled the death a homicide and the cause of death was blunt force trauma, Ryan said.
Investigators said they anticipate additional charges.
The slaying of his neighbor Nancy Hanson brought overwhelming sadness to Mark Staz and his family, who remember it making an instant impression when they moved to Newton’s Oak Hill neighborhood.
“She was a very nice person and was the first to welcome us to the community when we moved here a year ago,” Staz said. “The first thing we did, my wife went out to the police officer and said if the kids need a place to come, take them.”
Staz told Boston 25 News that the Hansons have three boys, the youngest of whom just finished fifth grade at Memorial Spaulding Elementary.
“We have three children of our own just to think how devastating that trauma would be for a child,” Staz said. “You’d just hear the kids playing. Their kids play basketball, play baseball in the back yard. Back there they skateboard, so we hear it but we don’t fight.”
In a statement Sunday, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller called Saturday’s incident “another horrific tragedy in Newton.”
“I know I speak for everyone in Newton when I say my heart goes out to the woman’s family and friends,” Fuller said. “The woman who was killed appears to be a victim of domestic violence. The victim’s husband was arrested at the scene by Newton Police officers after responding to a 911 call and remains in the custody of the Newton Police Department. Newton.
“Relationship violence is far too common in our country and Newton is no exception,” Fuller said. “If you or someone you care about is being abused or feels their choices are being made by a partner, click here to obtain a list of resources in the area”.
Nancy Hanson’s death follows the murder of three people in her Newton home last month. Jill and Bruno D’Amore and Jill’s mother, Lucia Arpino, were found stabbed to death in their Broadway Street home on June 25. Christopher Ferguson, 41, of Newton, faces murder charges in the case.
The mayor said the community is still reeling from the killings.
“I write this just three weeks after the tragic murders of Jill and Bruno D’Amore and Jill’s mother, Lucia Arpino,” Fuller said. “Our community is reeling and I know many of us are feeling uneasy. This is the time to reach out to family, friends, faith leaders and mental health professionals instead of taking -se and go it alone.
The couple’s children have been taken into the custody of the Department of Children and Families, a DCF spokesperson told Boston 25 News.
An investigation is underway by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to Ryan’s office and Newton police.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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