Inset: Matthew Cruz appears in court (WHDH). Background: The Taunton, Massachusetts, home where Cruz allegedly killed his girlfriend (WJAR).
A Massachusetts man allegedly told investigators that he squeezed his girlfriend’s neck “as hard as I could” until she stopped moving, then dragged her body down a staircase. Police say he offered several conflicting explanations for her death.
Matthew Cruz, 37, allegedly acknowledged during questioning that he wrapped his arm around Shannon Smith’s neck and applied pressure during an argument until she went limp, according to a criminal complaint obtained by MassLive.
Smith, also 37, was discovered unconscious at the base of the stairs inside Cruz’s Taunton townhouse on Thursday. The couple had reportedly been fighting over allegations that Smith had been unfaithful.
Bristol County prosecutors said Cruz and Smith had been in an on-again, off-again relationship for approximately 10 months. Authorities allege that Cruz’s suspicion that Smith was cheating fueled the confrontation at his home.
According to the criminal complaint, Cruz gave police two sharply different versions of the incident. He initially claimed Smith confessed to cheating, made “suicidal statements” and threw herself down the stairs. He later told investigators that the pair had tumbled down the staircase together while struggling.
First responders noted that Smith’s skin appeared “discolored,” a condition investigators said could indicate she had been dead for a considerable amount of time before Cruz contacted emergency services. Police also observed rug burns on her body.
Cruz allegedly later changed his account again, telling investigators that he began choking Smith before the two fell down the stairs. He reportedly admitted that he continued to strangle her after they reached the bottom.
Investigators suspect the rug burns were caused when Cruz allegedly dragged or threw Smith down the staircase.
Cruz had also been arrested in August in connection with an alleged assault and battery involving a person over 60. Authorities said he shoved his father during an incident at his parents’ home in Bridgewater.
Cruz is being held without bail on a murder charge. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 15, when he is expected to face a probable cause hearing.
The post Man choked girlfriend ‘as hard as I could’ before leaving her dead at bottom of stairs with rug burns, claimed she flung herself down staircase: Cops first appeared on Law & Crime.