4 unanswered questions about the South Boston double murder
New details about the shocking killing of two beloved local doctors emerged during the Monday arraignment of the man accused of the murders, raising questions about how exactly he was able to enter their luxury apartment and commit the grisly slayings.
The bodies of Dr. Richard Field, 49, and Dr. Lina Bolanos, 38, were found inside an apartment on the 11th floor of the Macallen Building at 141 Dorchester Ave. Friday night with their throats slit and their hands bound, according to The Boston Globe. Suspect Bampumim Teixeira, 30, suffered gunshot wounds from police that were not life-threatening and is being held without bail.
During Teixeira’s arraignment in his hospital room on two charges of murder at Tufts Medical Center, Suffolk Assistant District Attorney John Pappas revealed new information about the killings that has sent shock waves through the Boston medical community.
Here are four questions that remain unanswered as the investigation continues:
How did the suspect get into the apartment?
According to the Globe, the engaged couple lived together in the building, which other residents have described as safe and secure.
Bampumim Teixeira during his arraignment on Monday.
Building resident Jack Fu told WCVB over the weekend that only residents of the penthouse could access the floor.
“You can’t get up there without a key,” Fu said. “The elevators wouldn’t even open the door for you without a key. So there’s no access unless someone lets you in.”
According to the Globe, building residents described security as a 24-hour concierge service with security personnel in the lobby. The founder of the building’s new security company declined to speak with the Globe Monday about how Teixeira was able to access the penthouse.
Pappas said at Monday’s arraignment that when police officers arrived at the 11th-floor unit, they found a set of keys on the floor in front of the apartment door.
Police used the keys to get into the apartment after there was no response to their knocks on the door.
Once inside, Pappas said officers doing a sweep of the apartment encountered a man dressed in dark clothing, later identified as Teixeira. After police fired shots, Teixeira was apprehended by officers outside the apartment.
Did the suspect and victims know each other?
Update: In a late Monday afternoon press conference, Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley said: “There is no evidence whatsoever at this stage to conclude that this defendant had a personal relationship with Dr. Bolanos or Dr. Field. Now that may change, but, at this point, three plus days into our investigation, we have no evidence to believe that they were in any sort of prior relationship.”
A motive for the slaying was still unclear as of Monday afternoon. Colleagues, friends, and family of the victims interviewed by the Globe said they did not know of a connection between the doctors and Teixeira.
Dr. Richard Field, left, and Dr. Lina Bolanos
Pappas said Monday a friend of the doctors called 911 after receiving two text messages from Field saying there was a gunman in their apartment and asking that he call the police.
Officials have told media outlets that it is believed that Teixeira, Field, and Bolanos knew each other, though no specific relationship has been made public.
“If someone would come here and go up to the 11th floor of a penthouse, we gotta believe there was some type of knowledge of each other,” Evans said at the scene.
An official also told the Globe that “a message of retribution” was found written on a wall inside the apartment.
Was it a robbery?
Update: When asked about the possibility it was a robbery, Conley said Monday, “Every possibility is on the table right now, and it’s way too early for us to speculate.”
Police found a black backpack filled with jewelry, believed to belong to Bolanos, just inside the apartment door in what Pappas described as “a remarkably conspicuous area.”
According to the Globe, Teixeira finished serving a nine-month sentence for robbing the same Citizens Bank branch on Summer Street in downtown Boston twice, in 2014 and 2016.
The Globe reported that Teixeira was identified in surveillance images connected to the bank robberies as a former employee of Palladion Services, which provided security services for 141 Dorchester Ave. until February 18.
Was there an accomplice?
Update: Conley said Monday, “I can confirm that as a result of statements that Mr. Teixeira made after he was apprehended, the police sent in their SWAT team, they swept the building, secured the building, and found no other persons in the building.”
According to the DA’s office, Teixeira told police, after he’d been wounded in the leg, abdomen, and hand, that there was “another individual” in the building who would shoot at them if they went into the apartment.
According to Pappas, a search of the condo resulted in the discovery of the bodies of the doctors and Evans said Friday night authorities had the individual responsible in custody.
While police said the investigation remains active, no other information about a suspect other than Teixeira has been released.
