Local news

On Monday evening, police responded to a home on Turnpike Street in North Andover.

A woman and her young son died Monday in what authorities are calling an apparent murder-suicide.

Jennifer Paez, 35, and her nine-month-old son, Valentino Paez, have both died. Their identities were announced Tuesday in a news release from Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker and North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray.

Officers from North Andover were called to a home on Turnpike Street around 5:15 p.m. following a 911 call. They found Jennifer and Valentino Paez suffering from apparent stab wounds.

Jennifer was pronounced dead at home. Valentino was taken to Lawrence General Hospital and pronounced dead around 6:30 p.m. Officials say Jennifer likely injured her son and then took her own life.

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

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

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