Thursday, 4:30 PM
Worcester DA says new evidence uncovered in woman's death
By John C. Drake, Globe Staff
Investigators have uncovered new evidence in the death of a 35-year-old woman whose body was found in woods off Route 122 in Rutland last week, Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said today.
Investigators are sharing the information with the Middlesex district attorney's office and other agencies investigating the deaths of at least three other women who died under similar circumstances, he said.
"We are all working in a collaborative effort although we are treating this as a single murder, in and of itself," Early said in a telephone interview.
The woman, Linieda Olivera, was reported missing in February. A hunter discovered her remains on Sept. 3 while checking the condition of a hunting blind about 200 yards from Route 122.
Early would not say today what new evidence was uncovered or how it helped advance the investigation. He also would not say whether investigators have any suspects in the case.
The case bears similarities to the discovery of other women's bodies in Central Massachusetts in recent years, but officials have hesitated to say definitely that they are looking for a serial killer.
In September 2003, two women's remains were found in Marlborough, and in March 2004, a woman's skeleton was found in the neighboring town of Hudson.
Marlborough Police Chief Mark F. Leonard said officials from each of the jurisdictions involved have been sharing information since the discovery of Olivera's body.
Police plan to release the body to Olivera's family on Friday. A wake is scheduled for Saturday in Marlborough, said her sister, Marilyn Olivera.
