Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., said her focus is on “centering the victim” after an 18-year-old woman was discovered fatally shot Saturday inside a Boston property owned by the congresswoman’s husband.
Relatives have identified the young woman as 18-year-old Yoseliani Marte and said they believe her death was connected to domestic violence. Boston police have not publicly released her name, confirmed the family’s account or announced any arrest in the case.
“As someone who has done the work advocating, you know, for accountability and healing for survivors of all crimes — yeah, my heart is heavy,” Pressley said.
She added, “I’m just really centering the victim right now. And that’s what we all should be doing.”
Authorities said the victim was found dead from a gunshot wound inside the home, which is owned by Pressley’s husband, Conan Harris. Pressley and Harris have been married since 2014.
In a GoFundMe post, Marte’s family named her as the victim and described the shooting as an act of domestic violence. Her mother also said she believes she knows who may be responsible, according to Boston 25 News.
Pressley said the tragedy felt especially painful “as the mother to an 18-year-old daughter,” noting that she is currently preparing to send her own child to college for freshman year.
“I’m devastated for the impacted family,” Pressley said.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the victim, nor announced any arrests in relation to the death at the residence in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood. Police reports obtained by Fox News Digital say the victim suffered from a single gunshot wound.
“This young girl, who we didn’t know, 18 years old,” Pressley said. “I’m sure had her own plans and dreams that have all been cut short.”
A spokesperson for Pressley’s office told Boston 25 News that neither the congresswoman nor her family were involved in the incident and that Pressley extends her deepest condolences to the family and loved ones impacted by the tragedy.
The home is a two-family residence that is a rental property where neither Pressley nor Harris live. It is listed for sale at $1.15 million.
It is still not clear at this time whether Marte lived at the home where she was found dead.
The mother also told Boston 25 News that she is focused on getting justice for her daughter and that “everything’s gonna come out,” and “it’s all going to come to light.”
The manner of death remains under investigation, Boston police said.
