The three people killed in an apparent murder-suicide in Watertown were part of a “blended family” in which the younger couple helped care for the elderly owners of the home on Boyd Street. The husband of the older couple passed away in early August; and the younger couple had a baby, for whom extended family is seeking a new home.
On Tuesday, the Middlesex District Attorney’s office and the Watertown Police announced that the preliminary investigation suggests that Nadia Abrahamian, 80, and Karine Asatryan, 35, were shot and killed by David Minasvand, 31 inside their home. Minasvand then died by an apparently self-inflicted gunshot.
The home was owned by Nadia and her husband Sarkis, an Armenian who immigrated from Turkey who died on Aug. 4 at the age of 85, according to the obituary from Giragosian Funeral Home.
The two families became close, Rev. Father Arakel Aljalian told NBC Boston 10, and “living together as one family.” As reported on Boston.com, the obituary mentions that they became a “blended family.” Sarkis had a particular connection with the baby, who is now 16 months old.
“He was also blessed to be an honorary grandfather to his cosmic twin Madeline (Maddy) Minasvand who was born on the same day as him last year,” the obtiuary said. “Maddy and her parents, David and Karine, lived with and helped care for Sarkis and Nadia. Together with Nayad, they created a blended Armenian family that symbolized the transformative power of living in a beloved community. Maddy was the shining apple/pomegranate of Sarkis’ eye.”
WCVB Channel 5 reported that the family priest said he and extended family members are searching for a new home for the couple’s child.
Thank you, Charlie, for these updates. They are hardly reassuring, but at least they answer our many haunting questions. Our prayers to little Maddy and her family.