Press Release  Lawrence Man Wanted for 2016 Murder Arrested in California

SALEM — A Lawrence man wanted for murdering the mother of his child was arrested this morning in Patterson, California. Emilio DeLarosa, 33, is accused of strangling Wanda Rosa, 29, to death in her home in Methuen on September 12, 2016. Ms. Rosa had an active restraining order against him at the time of the murder. In the early morning hours of September 12^th, Methuen Police conducted a well-being check at 5 Tudor Street where they found Ms. Rosa unresponsive. She was transported to Holy Family Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Working together with the U.S. Marshall’s Service in Fresno, CA and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section located and identified DeLarosa. He was stopped by Sheriff’s deputies this morning at 6:21 am local time and taken into custody. It is expected that he will be arraigned on a fugitive from justice charge and returned to Massachusetts to face trial.

An Essex County Grand Jury indicted Mr. DeLarosa for murder and violation of an abuse prevention order on December 17, 2016. The Massachusetts State Police added DeLarosa to its Most Wanted list in February.

“I want to thank everyone involved in safely apprehending this defendant, most especially the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section. Their persistent pursuit of Mr. DeLarosa ensures that he will be held accountable for his heinous actions,” District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. “As the first anniversary of Ms. Rosa’s death approaches, I hope that this arrest will give some measure of solace to her family and friends. While nothing can bring her back, we will seek justice on her behalf.”

Mr. DeLarosa is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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