New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Newton Chief of Police John Carmichael have confirmed that Xiu Fang Ke, 43 of Newton will be arraigned today in Newton District Court in connection with allegedly beating Leonard Garber, 65 of Newton to death in his home on Mount Vernon Terrace.
Yesterday, September 27, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Newton Police officers arrived at the victim’s home as part of an ongoing missing persons investigation. Upon entering the home, police located Mr. Garber’s body wrapped in a curtain, under construction materials and under several other heavy items. Based on the preliminary assessment, it appears that the body may have been there for more than one day and that it had been placed in such a way as to conceal it.
On Monday, September 26, Mr. Garber’s family reported him missing. Newton Police immediately visited the home to conduct a well-being check but did not locate the victim. Yesterday, the family was again in contact with police who did two subsequent visits to the home that day, locating the victim the second time.
Police determined that Garber had allegedly been spending time with a female former tenant, later identified as Xiu Fang Ke.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the defendant had allegedly been forging checks from the victim’s accounts and had allegedly stolen over $40,000. When the victim became aware of the theft, he confronted the defendant and she allegedly struck and killed him and then attempted to hide the body.
Police reviewed financial records and surveillance footage from Mr. Garber’s home that allegedly showed an Asian female, later identified as the defendant, entering the victim’s home in the days prior to his body being located.
Xiu Fang Ke was arrested early this morning without incident at the Newton Police Station. She will be arraigned later today.
This case was investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and Newton Police. The prosecutors assigned to this case are Nicole Allain and Julie Kunkel. The victim witness advocate is Anne Foley.
These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.” – Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.
