MEDFORD – The body of 61-year-old Barbara Novaes was found by police at her home in Medford on Monday morning after her family was reported missing. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said he was being investigated as a “suspicious death.”
The home on Emery Street is close to the Tufts University campus.
According to Ryan, Novaes’ son called police around 6:40 a.m. Monday to let them know he couldn’t find her. He told police he last saw her at her home at 4.30pm on Sunday and believed she had left the house at that time to go to a nail meeting.
“He said that when he woke up this morning, the front door of the house was open. And he saw that his mother’s car was still there,” Ryan said. “He said he also found the keys to his mother’s car, her phone and her bag.”
Ryan said the body was found by a police officer around 8:30 a.m. in a recycling bin in an enclosed space under the porch.
“It’s pretty scary and sad,” said neighbor Leslie Kramer. “Because you don’t know if there are any mysteries, any questions.”
DA says there are no obvious signs of injury and the autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday. Medford Mayor Briana Lungo-Kyon said Novaes is an active member of Grace Church in the city.
Neighbors say Novaes often sat on the porch with her dog and was very friendly.
On Monday night, police went door-to-door to see if anyone was witnessing anything or had a surveillance video.
“I moved to this area specifically because it’s very safe. So it’s a little shocking,” said neighbor Aubrey Vanas.
Officers will remain in the area for the next few days to continue the investigation.
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