Inset: Matthew Cruz appears in court (WHDH). Background: The Taunton, Mass., home where Cruz allegedly killed his girlfriend (WJAR).
A Massachusetts man allegedly told police he choked his girlfriend “as hard as I could” during an argument, killing her before dragging her body down a staircase. Investigators say he later gave multiple conflicting accounts of what happened.
Matthew Cruz, 37, acknowledged during a police interview that he wrapped his arm around Shannon Smith’s neck and squeezed until she stopped moving and went limp, according to a criminal complaint obtained by MassLive.
Smith, also 37, was found unconscious Thursday at the bottom of the stairs inside Cruz’s Taunton townhouse. Authorities say the couple had been arguing over allegations that Smith was unfaithful.
Bristol County prosecutors said Cruz and Smith had been in an “on and off” relationship for about 10 months before her death last Thursday. According to prosecutors, Cruz’s belief that Smith had cheated led to the argument that preceded the alleged killing.
During questioning, Cruz allegedly offered investigators two sharply different versions of the incident. He initially claimed Smith admitted to cheating, made “suicidal statements” and threw herself down the stairs. He later changed his account, saying they both fell during a physical struggle, according to the complaint.
When first responders arrived, Smith’s skin was “discolored,” leading investigators to believe she may have been dead for a significant amount of time before Cruz called for help. Police also reported that her body had rug burns.
After revising his story, Cruz allegedly told investigators that he began strangling Smith before the pair fell down the stairs. He reportedly said he continued choking her after they reached the bottom.
Investigators believe the rug burns were caused when Cruz dragged or threw Smith down the staircase.
Cruz had previously been arrested in August on suspicion of assault and battery against a person 60 or older. He allegedly shoved his father during an incident at his parents’ home in Bridgewater.
Cruz is being held without bail on a murder charge. He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 15 for 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.
