Dedham, MA: Neighbor mourns couple found dead in Dedham home in possible murder-suicide

E-mail | Print Posted by Metro Desk December 7, 2010 12:16 PM
By Brian R. Ballou and John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

DEDHAM – A long-time neighbor of William and Patricia Spada said today she was stunned the Spadas are dead in what authorities are investigating as a possible domestic murder-suicide.

Rosemary Lowney said today she had known the Spadas, who lived at 2 Carmichael Circle, for a dozen years and never saw any sign of violent tensions between them.

“They are really nice,’’ she said this morning near her Washington Street home. “Helpful, especially Billy, the father.’’
She added, “I can’t believe that they’re dead. Police came over last night and told me. I was in shock.’’

According to Norfolk District Attorney William R. Keating, William Spada, 53, and his 51-year-old wife, Patricia, were shot to death inside the home around 1:30 a.m. today.

The couple’s 26-year-old daughter, Deidre, was also shot and is in critical condition at a Boston hospital.

Keating said Deidre Spada’s 27-year-old boyfriend was inside the house when violence broke out around 1:30 a.m.

Keating said the boyfriend told authorities that William Spada shot his wife and daughter before shooting himself. The boyfriend avoided becoming a victim himself only because he was able to run out of the house.

“He was there when the shooting began. His account is that William Spada had been the shooter,’’ Keating said. “He ran from the house to make the call. He was still outside when police came.’’

Keating said it was too soon in the investigation however, to declare that William Spada was responsible for the domestic violence. He said autopsies must be performed and forensic examination conducted of the scene before any final conclusions are reached.
“You never know until you know,’’ Keating said.

He also said that the boyfriend has been cooperative and is not under arrest.

Keating said it is not immediately clear what prompted the shooting. He said all three appeared to have been shot with the same handgun, which has been recovered.

Keating said the Spadas owned a paving company and that the boyfriend worked for the couple. Police found the bodies of the married couple on the first floor of the home and the daughter in another room.

Keating said Dedham police have not been to the Spada home to investigate complaints of domestic violence before this morning.

Carmichael Circle is a cul-de-sac of three homes, and police have sealed off the entire street while they investigate. Parked in the large driveway are at least two trucks marked with the words, “Spada Landscaping and Paving.’’

Police and forensic technicians can be seen entering and leaving the house this morning.