Authorities in Boston say the death of a young woman discovered inside a home owned by the husband of Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., has been officially classified as a homicide.
Boston Police were called to the city’s Mattapan neighborhood at about 1:52 p.m. on July 18 after a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found 18-year-old Yoseliani Ann Marte Ocasio suffering from a gunshot wound. Officials said she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Thursday that Marte Ocasio’s death was a homicide, authorities said in a statement.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-M.A., and her husband Conan Harris join picketing hotel workers at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel on September 2, 2024, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Public property records show the Mattapan home where Marte Ocasio was found is owned by Conan Harris, Pressley’s husband. Authorities have not indicated that the ownership of the property is connected in any way to her death.
Marte Ocasio’s mother, Elenie Ocasio, told Boston 25 that she believes she knows who is likely responsible for killing her daughter.
Yoseliani Ann Marte Ocasio, 18, was found dead of a gunshot wound July 18 at a Mattapan home. Her death has been ruled a homicide. (GoFundMe)
“This coward killed my baby. He put a gun to her head, took my baby in that house and left her to die,” Elenie Ocasio said. “My daughter didn’t deserve this. My daughter did not deserve this, and it’s all going to come out to light. Everything’s gonna come out.”
Pressley addressed the teen’s death in a statement to WCVB.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) listens during a news conference near the U.S. Capitol Building on September 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“I am devastated about the death of Yoseliani Marte, an 18-year-old with so many dreams ahead of her, her life cut short by domestic violence. As the parent of a teenager, the thought of a young person violently losing their life in this way is beyond crushing. I stand with our community and everyone who loved Yoseliani as we grieve this deep loss. May we all honor her life and humanity and extend compassion to her loved ones as they navigate this heartbreaking tragedy,” Pressley said.
Her office said neither the congresswoman nor her family were involved in the incident.
