WORCESTER ― Reports have revealed that the woman who passed away inside a Pleasant Street massage parlor on Thanksgiving unfortunately lost her life from a gunshot wound. The perpetrator behind this tragedy, Marcel D. Santos-Padgett of Leicester, has been taken into custody on a charge of armed assault with intent to murder, police said.
According to Worcester police documents, Santos-Padgett, 31, “pointed (a) firearm at the head of a known victim and pulled the trigger.”
Court records from Central District Court reflect that there was sufficient reason to issue a warrant for Santos-Padgett’s arrest for a charge of armed assault with intent to murder.
Worcester authorities revealed in court documents that Santos-Padgett was identified through license plate reader data and video footage from surveillance cameras.
According to police documents, “Officers viewed surveillance video, got a clear photo of Santos-Padgett, identified him with a CJIS check of his vehicle in the vicinity which was caught on a license plate reader of his license plate.”
Police have not disclosed the identity or profession of the deceased woman, nor have they provided any motive for the fateful incident.
Worcester police announced around 2 p.m. Friday that Santos-Padgett had been arrested in Haverhill with the assistance of Haverhill Police and the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Squad.
It has been reported that the location where Santos-Padgett was apprehended, 4 Columbia Park, is where his children and their mother reside, according to records from Central District Court.
Worcester police indicated in their warrant application on Friday that Santos-Padgett claimed 7 Marshall St. in Leicester as his place of residence. Documents from 2022 show that this address is linked to Santos-Padgett’s grandfather.
Records revealed that Santos-Padgett was previously confined to home detention with GPS monitoring in 2021 following an incident on March 7th of the same year. This involved allegations made by Worcester police that Santos-Padgett pistol-whipped two men in the face inside a home on Stoneland Road.
One of the victims suffered a 3-inch laceration to his forehead, along with multiple bruises. The other sustained large facial lacerations and bruising. Santos-Padgett was arrested in Maine several hours after the assault, as per police records.
An overview of the court records pointed to Central District Court Judge Michael G. Allard-Madaus sentencing Santos-Padgett to two years’ incarceration in the House of Correction in April 2022 after he pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm without an FID card.
According to the records, Madaus mandated Santos-Padgett to serve the initial six months of his sentence and suspended the remaining term for three years pending successful probation.
There are no reports of Santos-Padgett violating probation, as per the court documents. His probation term was scheduled to conclude in April 2025.
Part of the probation conditions required Santos-Padgett to undergo random drug and alcohol screenings, participate in anger management sessions, and have no contact with the victims in the case, records suggest.
Prior to his guilty plea and during his time on GPS monitoring, court papers indicate that he was permitted to visit his children in Haverhill, work as a DoorDash delivery driver, and attend church at Mount Sinai Church of God and Christ in Worcester on Sundays.
The arrest of Santos-Padgett follows Thursday’s police report of an inquiry into a death described as “suspicious” at Angies Bodywork Spa on 383 Pleasant St. in Worcester.
Authorities received a report about a woman in need of medical assistance around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. Upon arrival at the spa, an unconscious female was found.
According to its website, Angies Bodywork Spa specializes in massage services.
The unprecedented police presence stirred concerns among neighbors. Many were perplexed and uneasy about the unfolding situation.
Nawar Hamadi, a local resident, expressed his family’s anxiety over the ongoing police presence, stating, “It’s shocking and surprising.”
Based on information obtained, Santos-Padgett is not expected to be presented in court for arraignment until Monday at the earliest, as confirmed by Lindsay Corcoran, communications director for Worcester District Attorney, Joseph D. Early Jr.
