New details released in slaying of Medfield nurse

February 12, 2008 04:52 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Maria Cramer, Globe Staff

After Andrew Boisvert killed his ex-wife in her Medfield home Wednesday afternoon, he picked up their 7-year-old daughter at her bus stop, took her to the movies, then returned to the scene of the crime to call police, authorities said during a press conference today.

Boisvert killed Margaret "Meg" Ninos sometime after 2 p.m., beating her to death with a blunt instrument during a fight, said Norfolk District Attorney William R. Keating. Boisvert then changed clothes, picked up his daughter, and did not return to Ninos's apartment until 7 p.m., when he called police.

In the recording of a 911 call played at the press conference, Boisvert told a dispatcher that his ex-wife had been shot in the head. "She's cold to the touch," Boisvert said in a breathless voice.

Boisvert was questioned at the Medfield Police Department but said little to investigators and left shortly after midnight Thursday with his lawyer. His car had been impounded, but he managed to flee the state in his lawyer's Jeep.

He got as far as North Carolina, where he pulled over at a rest stop off Route 77 near Charlotte and hung himself from a tree.

"It's a tragedy all around," said Keating, who described Ninos as an "intelligent, independent" woman. "She was remarkable," he said.

Keating said the suicide of Boisvert ended the investigation into Ninos's death. For the family, Boisvert's death came as a relief. When he disappeared, they were terrified he might return for his daughter, Maggie, who is in protective foster care.

"We have some closure, but no satisfaction," said Ninos's brother Steve, who lives in Malden.

Ninos's other brother, John, released a statement in which he described his sister, a labor and delivery nurse, as an "adoring and devoted" single mother.

"She lived a very active life, with many friends, and was passionate about helping others," he wrote. "All of her family and friends are devastated by the senseless loss of her bright spirit."