18-year-old Found Dead In Home Owned By Congresswoman’s Husband Had Been Shot, Cops Say

The decease of an 18-year-old female recovered changeable wrong a Boston rental spot owned by nan hubby of U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley has been officially ruled a homicide, authorities announced Thursday.

The Boston Police Department formally identified nan unfortunate arsenic Yoseliani Ann Marte Ocasio, of Boston. Officers responding to a telephone astatine 1:52 p.m. connected Saturday, July 18, recovered Ocasio dormant successful a rear chamber astatine 25 Malta Road successful nan city’s Mattapan neighborhood, according to a constabulary study shared pinch The Independent.

The Office of nan Chief Medical Examiner wished Thursday that Ocasio died from a azygous gunshot coiled and officially classified nan lawsuit arsenic a homicide.

Ocasio’s mother, Elenie Ocasio, told Boston 25 News connected July 20 that she believed her girl was killed, emphasizing that nan teen was not suicidal.

“This coward killed my baby. He put a weapon to her head, took my babe successful that location and near her to die,” Elenie Ocasio told nan station. “My girl didn’t merit this. My girl did not merit this, and it’s each going to travel to light. Everything’s gonna travel out.”

No arrests person been made, and constabulary released nary fishy information. However, rule enforcement officials stated location was “absolutely thing that indicates immoderate relationship to nan owners of nan property,” according to The Boston Globe.

The two-story, seven-bedroom multi-family location is owned arsenic a rental spot by Conan Harris, nan hubby of Pressley. The location had been listed for waste for $1.15 million, but existent property listings show it is presently disconnected nan market.

A spokesperson for nan listing realtor told ABC connection WCVB that nan tenants surviving successful nan rental had been location for a while, though they did not specify nan nonstop duration.

Pressley and Harris do not unrecorded astatine nan Malta Street reside and ne'er have, a personification acquainted pinch nan matter told The Independent. The mates resides successful nan Hyde Park conception of Boston, according to Pressley’s website.

A spokesperson for Pressley antecedently confirmed that neither nan lawmaker nor her family were progressive successful nan incident.

In a recent statement, Pressley expressed her condolences complete nan teenager’s death, noting that arsenic a genitor of a teen herself, “the thought of a young personification violently losing their life successful this measurement is beyond crushing.”

“I americium devastated astir nan decease of Yoseliani Marte, an 18-year-old pinch truthful galore dreams up of her, her life trim short by home violence,” Pressley said. “I guidelines pinch our organization and everyone who loved Yoseliani arsenic we grieve this heavy loss. May we each grant her life and humanity and widen compassion to her loved ones arsenic they navigate this heartbreaking tragedy.”

Pressley’s agency added successful an earlier statement, “The Congresswoman extends her deepest condolences to nan impacted family.”

First elected to Congress successful 2019, Pressley represents Massachusetts’ 7th legislature district, which encompasses respective Boston neighborhoods. She is simply a salient personnel of “The Squad,” a group of progressive Democratic House members that includes Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.

Local organization members person besides paid tribute to nan 18-year-old. Shea Butter Smoothies, a Dorchester juice barroom wherever Ocasio worked, posted a remembrance to Facebook connected July 20 honoring her contributions to their team.

“Liani was a superb and motivated young woman whose passion and dedication had a profound effect connected our squad and nan activity we do,” nan business wrote. “Her innovative ideas, peculiarly successful enhancing Shea Butter Smoothies, brought a unsocial touch that our customers adored. She approached each task pinch enthusiasm, creativity, and an unwavering committedness to excellence.”

The station added, “Liani brought joyousness and positivity to our workplace. Her infectious laughter, kindness, and willingness to thief others made her not conscionable a colleague, but a cherished friend to many. She will beryllium missed immensely, and her bequest will unrecorded connected successful nan hearts of those who had nan privilege of knowing her.”

The business announced it would donate 50 percent of nan proceeds from income of its “Big Papi” smoothie to assistance nan family pinch ceremonial costs.

“We promote our organization to subordinate america successful this effort, arsenic we retrieve nan beautiful personification she was," nan business stated. "Rest successful peace, Yoseliani. You will ever beryllium remembered.”

Her family has besides organized a GoFundMe campaign to assistance pinch ceremonial and unexpected expenses, raising much than $18,500 toward a $20,000 goal.

“No words tin genuinely definitive nan symptom of losing personification truthful young, pinch truthful galore dreams, hopes, and milestones still up of her,” Elenie Ocasio wrote connected nan fundraising page. “Yoseliani was profoundly loved by her family, friends, and everyone whose life she touched. Her kindness, beautiful spirit, and agleam early will ne'er beryllium forgotten.”

A Boston Police Department spokesperson told The Independent that further updates would beryllium released arsenic nan investigation progresses.

The Boston Police Department Homicide Unit is actively investigating nan circumstances surrounding nan shooting. Anyone pinch accusation is urged to interaction Boston homicide detectives astatine 617-343-4470.