Man charged with murder after missing Sturbridge man’s body found

A Holland, Massachusetts, man pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder Monday in the death of a 29-year-old Sturbridge man reported missing weeks prior. 

Jonathan Poirier, 30, is being held without bail following his arraignment in Palmer District Court. Last week, authorities announced they recovered Austin Schepper’s body in the 100 block of Union Road in Holland — the same area as Poirier’s listed address. 

The Hampden County District Attorney’s Office said Massachusetts State Police detectives and investigators from the Sturbridge and Holland police departments were able to link Poirier to the murder, though the office did not provide specifics. The investigation remains ongoing, authorities said. 

Poirier’s attorney was not immediately available for comment Wednesday. 

Court records indicate Poirier has a string of prior criminal cases out of Palmer District Court, most of them vehicle-related charges that were later dismissed. He was also charged with larceny in 2023 after allegedly stealing and selling several of his father’s firearms, though prosecutors dropped the case last year at his father’s request. 

Poirier was charged last month with firearms-related offenses, larceny, and credit card fraud in a separate case related to Schepper’s disappearance. According to a statement of facts filed in that case, Schepper’s mother reported him missing Feb. 16 after he hadn’t been seen since Feb. 11. Schepper’s car was found at a supermarket in Southbridge soon after he was reported missing. 

According to the court filing, police discovered a string of withdrawals and charges on Schepper’s accounts following his disappearance, amounting to more than $2,500. Using surveillance footage from locations where Schepper’s debit card was used, investigators allegedly traced the charges back to Poirier. 

Poirier allowed police to analyze data from his cellphone, “which revealed to investigators that … [he] had been seeking to sell two handguns that he had possessed,” according to the statement of facts. Investigators learned, however, that Poirier’s license to carry and Firearms Identification Card had been suspended due to a prior incident at home.

After Poirier was arraigned in Schepper’s murder, prosecutors decided to drop last month’s charges.

“It is expected that any charges related to this case will be part of a grand jury presentment [and] possible indictment,” they wrote in a court filing Monday. 

Schepper’s obituary describes his death as a “senseless act of violence,” noting he “was always friendly and helpful to his friends, family and everyone he met.”

Schepper was an Amazon Shipping employee, Eagle Scout, history buff, and model train enthusiast, according to the obituary. He also enjoyed sport shooting and was a member of local rod and gun clubs. 

“We stand with the family and community of Holland as we continue to mourn the loss of Austin Schepper,” Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni said in a statement. “Now, our attention turns to this case and seeking justice for the victim and his loved ones. I appreciate the efforts of the investigators, with whom we will continue to collaborate through the prosecution of this case.”

Poirier is due back in court May 6.

Abby Patkin

Staff Writer

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.

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