Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Bedford Chief of Police John Fisher have confirmed that Jessica Cavallaro, 24, of Bedford was arraigned on Thursday afternoon in Concord District Court on two counts of murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and illegal possession of a firearm in the alleged fatal shooting of her parents on Thursday morning on Washington Street in Bedford. Her parents have been identified as Thelma Tatten and Mark Cavallaro of Bedford.
At her arraignment, the defendant was ordered held without bail. Her next court date is on Aug. 20.
This is an open and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Bedford Police Department, and State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.
The victims, both age 56, live on Genetti Street. They were shot in their vehicle.
Middlesex District Atty. Marian Ryan, flanked by Police Chief John Fisher, provided the basic information at a press conference a few minutes before noon.
Ryan said the Bedford public safety dispatcher fielded an emergency call around 9 a.m. on Thursday reporting the shooting. She said the report was from a “significant other” who resides with his parents. It is believed that Cavallaro was also living there, at least parttime.
“She went back into the house and told him she had shot her parents,” Ryan said.
The initial report was that the shooting occurred at 11 Washington St., but investigators quickly realized that the car had rolled from 10 Washington St. across the road to that yard.
Ryan used the occasion to call attention to continuing “horrific incidents of domestic violence” and the availability of firearms. A handgun was recovered at the scene. Cavallaro, who was not believed to be known to police, was not licensed to have a gun, according to Ryan.
According to the deceased couple’s Facebook page, Thelma Tatten and Mark Cavallaro had been together since 1998. The last post was on April 11 when Mark was talking about taking part in the Spring NAMIWalks. His goal was to raise $250. He surpassed that amount by more than double, collecting $574. He also mentioned teaching guitar to a group at the Edinburgh Center.
There hasn’t been a murder committed in Bedford since October 1982.
Many of the area residents were shocked at the shootings in what is usually a quiet neighborhood.
“This is startling. It’s not what happens here. It’s shocking. It’s horrible. It’s just scary,” said one resident, mirroring the feelings of many other neighbors.
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