Authorities have determined that the death of a woman discovered at a residence owned by the spouse of Representative Ayanna Pressley, D-Massachusetts, is a homicide.
Police in Boston were called to the Mattapan neighborhood on July 18 at approximately 1:52 p.m. following a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers found 18-year-old Yoseliani Ann Marte Ocasio suffering from a gunshot wound. Tragically, she was declared dead at the location, according to officials.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed on Thursday that her death is classified as a homicide, as stated by authorities.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley and her husband Conan Harris were seen supporting picketing hotel workers at Boston’s Park Plaza Hotel on September 2, 2024. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
According to property records, Conan Harris, the husband of Ayanna Pressley, owns the house where the incident occurred. There is no evidence suggesting that the property’s ownership is related to the death of Yoseliani Ann Marte Ocasio.
The woman’s mother, Elenie Ocasio, told Boston 25 she knows who’s likely responsible for her daughter’s death.
Yoseliani Ann Marte Ocasio, 18, was found dead of a gunshot wound July 18 at a Mattapan home. Her death has been ruled a homicide. (GoFundMe)
“This coward killed my baby. He put a gun to her head, took my baby in that house and left her to die,” Elenie Ocasio said. “My daughter didn’t deserve this. My daughter did not deserve this, and it’s all going to come out to light. Everything’s gonna come out.”
Pressley addressed the teen’s death in a statement to WCVB.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) listens during a news conference near the U.S. Capitol Building on September 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“I am devastated about the death of Yoseliani Marte, an 18-year-old with so many dreams ahead of her, her life cut short by domestic violence. As the parent of a teenager, the thought of a young person violently losing their life in this way is beyond crushing. I stand with our community and everyone who loved Yoseliani as we grieve this deep loss. May we all honor her life and humanity and extend compassion to her loved ones as they navigate this heartbreaking tragedy,” Pressley said.
Her office said neither the congresswoman nor her family were involved in the incident.