North Andover woman, infant son dead in apparent murder-suicide

A North Andover woman and her infant son died Monday in what authorities are labeling an apparent murder-suicide.

Jennifer Paez, 35, and her 9-month-old son, Valentino Paez, both died. They were identified Tuesday in a release from Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker and North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray.

North Andover police officers responded to a home on Turnpike Street after receiving a 911 call at around 5:15 p.m., officials said. They found Jennifer and Valentino Paez with apparent knife wounds.

Jennifer was pronounced dead at the home. Valentino was brought to Lawrence General Hospital and pronounced dead there at about 6:30 p.m. Officials say Jennifer likely wounded her son and then took her own life.

“While everyone is, understandably, still struggling to comprehend what went so terribly wrong here, our deepest sympathies go out to the family of Jennifer Paez and her son, Valentino,” Tucker said in a statement. “I would also like to thank the North Andover Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, and all those responding for helping this family and this community in the wake of this unimaginable crime.”

An investigation is still considered active and ongoing. This is considered an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

“I would like to recognize the hard-working officers of the North Andover Police Department that responded to this tragic incident, as well as our partners with the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police, Andover Police, North Andover Fire Department, the North Andover Community Support coordinator, and Lawrence General Hospital for their assistance,” Gray said in a statement.