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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

[MA] Retired Officer Brosnahan killed his wife’s mother and her two brothers, then himself

...A family member confirmed that the shooter [retired Bedford police officer John “Jack” Brosnahan] killed three members of his wife’s family. He killed his wife’s mother [Mary Pizzuto] and her two brothers [Robert and Patrick Pizzuto]... "This is another horrific example of domestic violence, a familial incident leading to three dead persons in that house"...  Police said the murders were a domestic incident and an ongoing dispute led to the killings... Brosnahan was employed by the Bedford Police Department for 28 years and also served as the police prosecutor at Concord District Court. Upon his retirement in January 2000, Brosnahan was assigned to the detective bureau... after he retired he worked as a federal court officer... 

MARY A. (FEROLITO) PIZZUTO Obituary and Guestbook
ROBERT J. PIZZUTO Obituary and Guestbook
PATRICK P. PIZZUTO  Obituary and Guestbook

FAMILY IN CAMBRIDGE SHOOTING TRAGEDY MOURNED
bostonherald.com
By Natalie Sherman
Thursday, December 15, 2011
[Excerpts] The senseless killings of two brothers gunned down with their elderly mother in Cambridge last week caused even the family priest to doubt his faith, he admitted... Robert Pizzuto, 52, and Patrick Pizzuto, 63, were shot Dec. 9 with Mary Pizzuto, 91, by her son-in-law, former Bedford cop Jack Brosnahan, 67, who then shot himself... “It’s a sad day for everyone involved,” Robert Pizzuto Jr. said at his father’s funeral. “But seeing everyone here today, it’s hard for me to feel sad. It’s hard for me to feel anything but proud. These were two great men.” Robert Jr. recalled his father as an expert storyteller. Patrick had just celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary in November. Daughter Anne Boyle recalled how her father, the retired owner of Waltham Fruit Co., was once kicked out of a grocery store for taking pictures of the produce and how he taught his children to be competitive over board games, never letting them win. “He would tell me never to grow up, and I would laugh, and only now do I know what he meant”... [Full article here]

FAMILY, FRIENDS MOURN BROTHERS KILLED IN CAMBRIDGE TRIPLE MURDER
Wicked Local Cambridge
By Scott Wachtler
Posted Dec 14, 2011
[Excerpts] Hundreds filled the pews of Sacred Heart Church in Watertown to pay their last respects to two brothers who were killed in last week’s triple homicide in Cambridge. Brothers Patrick, 63, and Robert Pizzuto, 52, along with their mother Mary Pizzuto, 91, were shot and killed last Friday by their in-law, retired Bedford police officer John “Jack” Brosnahan, 67, who was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Brighton... The Rev. Joseph Baggetta, a family friend, gave the eulogy for the two brothers, and admitted that when he heard the news he had no idea what he could say that would bring the family together... Baggetta encouraged those in mourning to remember Robert, who lived in Arlington, and Patrick, who lived in Lexington and Hull, and remember the way they lived their lives. The brothers were best known for their Cambridge business, Waltham Fruit Company... [Full article here]

THREE PEOPLE FATALLY SHOT IN CAMBRIDGE: Former Bedford police officer shot 3 relatives and then himself, authorities say
Boston Globe
By Derek J. Anderson, Taylor M. Miles and and Matt Byrne
December 10, 2011
[Excerpts] Three people were shot and killed in a domestic incident in Cambridge yesterday, and the suspect committed suicide hours later, the Middlesex district attorney’s office said. Police were called to 161 Grove St. at approximately 6:40 p.m. and discovered three adults, all related, dead of gunshot wounds in the home in what District Attorney Gerald T. Leone Jr. referred to as a domestic violence case. “The unfortunate reality after they [authorities] arrived was that they found three people dead in the house evidencing obvious gunshot wounds,’’ Leone said. “This is another horrific example of domestic violence, a familial incident leading to three dead persons in that house.’’ Hours later, police found the suspect’s body with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the Charles River near 1400 Soldiers Field Road in Brighton... More than a dozen police vehicles had congregated around the scene by the water’s edge. A white sheet covered the body... At the Grove Street scene last night, a woman arrived at the one-story brick home, which was blocked off with yellow crime tape, and was crying hysterically as she talked to police... [Full article here]

FAMILY GATHERED TO REMEMBER FOUR DEAD IN CAMBRIDGE: Retired Bedford police officer kills three, then himself
wickedlocal.com
By David L. Harris and Auditi Guha
Posted Dec 15, 2011
[Excerpts] ...Brothers Patrick Pizzuto Jr., 63 and Robert Pizzuto Sr., 52 and their mother Mary Pizzuto, 91, were shot and killed by retired Bedford police officer John "Jack" Brosnahan... The Pizzutos murdered were Brosnahan’s brothers-in-law and mother-in law. A source told our news partner WCVB that an argument had broken out while family members were discussing the care of Brosnahan’s mother-in-law... Police spokesman Dan Riviello confirmed that Brosnahan had a valid license to carry, which he recently renewed through the Cambridge Police Department... On Friday night, relatives overcome with grief were seen near the house. Heavily armed police officers were seen outside the one-and-a-half story ranch home as a flood of reporters stood across the street... Brosnahan was employed by the Bedford Police Department for 28 years and also served as the police prosecutor at Concord District Court. Upon his retirement in January 2000, Brosnahan was assigned to the detective bureau... [Full article here]

INVESTIGATION BEGINS IN CAMBRIDGE MURDER, SUICIDE
whdh.com
Posted: 12/10/11
[Excerpts] ...Family members were devastated after hearing about the triple shooting. A family member confirmed that the shooter killed three members of his wife’s family. He killed his wife’s mother and her two brothers. The wife of one of the brothers said that there was an ongoing disagreement among the family members but she said that she never imagined that they were in mortal danger. She said that they knew the shooter had issues that caused him to be volatile but she wouldn’t have thought he would use deadly force. “Everybody in the neighborhood is in shock,” said Vinnie Borelli, a family friend... Those who worked with the retired police officer during his 28 years of service said he was a great man and that the crime was incredibly shocking news. They said Brosnahan was a ‘straight-laced’ patrolman who was friendly and well-liked. Brosnahan acted as a liaison between the police department and the Middlesex County prosecutors and that after he retired he worked as a federal court officer... Police said the murders were a domestic incident and an ongoing dispute led to the killings... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities murder familicide triple murder suicide massachusttes state politics]

27 comments:

  1. To the person trying to post comments that slam the wife - you will have to do it elsewhere.

    ReplyDelete
  2. i knew jack,and maryanne.this situation was probably unforseeable,and most likely unpreventable.sad.sometimes people just snap.i feel very bad for both families.it is truly a tragedy for both families.slinging mud is only making people look bad,and is hurtful.GOD WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY.GOD BLESS YOU ALL.A.G.-cambridge

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    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  3. one of the victimsDecember 30, 2011

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  4. I knew Jack from growing up in Bedford and he was always so kind, professional, and helpful to everyone.I was absolutely shocked watching it unravel on the news. God bless both families. My father was a Cambridge Police Officer who died when I was younger. I remember how supportive the police were to my Mom and family for many years after his death. I hope that the police are supportive to Mrs. Brosnahan.Only God knows what happened in Jack's mind that night and Im not minimizing the awful loss for either, but he did do so much good for people in his lifetime. I can't imagine what either family is going thru.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJuly 31, 2013

      SHUT UP you don't know what he was like.

      Delete
    2. How rude!! YOU don't know what he was like!!

      Delete
  5. To the person who tried to post, if you want to repost what you have to say about Jack and the struggle of the victim's families that's fine. But you need to drop the other personal attack that has nothing to do with you. Why perpetuate more pain?

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  6. It has everything to do with me- and nothing to do with YOU.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJune 01, 2012

    Why are only POSITIVE things about the murderer posted on this blog. The VICTIMS were wonderful and loving people this blog is a travesty to the families of the victims

    ReplyDelete
  8. What's positive about being a murderer?

    Why hasn't anyone POSTED anything about the victims? They have had no one to stand up and share thoughts or memories, or even outrage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 07, 2012

      The family of the victims have TRIED to post good things about them, these are however blocked by bloggers who want to hide the truth about the murderer.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJune 07, 2012

      The victims were brothers who worked hard loved their families and died trying to fulfill their father's final wish which was to take care of their mother. They were totally blind-sided

      Delete
    3. John 8:7 ESV /
      "And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

      Delete
    4. Don't be so naive as to quote scripture, you obviously know NOTHING about the situation, and even Christ would not condone this kind of slaughter, he destroyed so many families.

      Delete
    5. "He" destroyed so many families - so why are you
      crucifying "her"?

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    6. I've been pretty careful about not letting anyone attack her so if you see something here that does, please point it out to me. Thanks.

      Delete
  9. Just open up the doors of the prisons then and set the murderers free.

    ReplyDelete
  10. To "wanna" who sent another accusatory comment. You are attmepting to place blame. You can't. You can take it to court. You can file a civil suit. But unless you are a mind reader or have been present as your family is being killed you are not qualified to implicate anyone or to judge. You can be mad, suspicious, brokenhearted - but you can't convict anyone by what you THINK was the motive or purpose to this shooting or the response to it. Nobody is censoring TRUTH. What is being censored are unsubstantiated hateful theories. Take legal action or let God judge but don't come here to ANONYMOUSLY try to destroy other people's lives.

    ReplyDelete
  11. So sad...there are a lot of people hurting every day but lashing out and act irratically isn't the answer and it's definitely NOT healthy! All the negativity only drains you of energy and keeps you from being in the present moment. The more you give in to your negative thoughts, the stronger they become. No one can take away the pain - it will always be there - but learning to find strength would be more rational and sensible....

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 11, 2013

      Very easy to say if you're not one of the victims

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJune 26, 2013

      I AM one of the victims!

      Delete
    3. AnonymousJuly 31, 2013

      My children and I are victims.

      Delete
  12. Reality check - you aren't the only victims...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BITE ME

      Delete
    2. Classless and uncalled for remark!!

      Delete
  13. My heart goes out to Marianne & the entire family left with the shock, grief & loss that this violence has left for them to live with every day. My thoughts & prayers are with you all.
    I did know Jack pretty well years prior while he was working in Bedford. He had saved my life & more than once. He was like a Dad to me. I didn't have one to show me the way. He gave me advice & was there to listen always. For this I am truly grateful. I miss him so much & can't believe he's gone from my life.
    I'm not sure what happened to him.? The Jack I knew didn't have a violent bone in his body..at least back then.
    I'm just sick with all of the senseless violence that took place that day. Something so horrific that can come out of one man..a family even. What a shame!!
    God Bless all the family members involved.
    May you find peace & celebrate the life you did have with your loved ones.
    Always
    cmc

    ReplyDelete

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