Massachusetts

Man Previously Charged With Disposing Burned Body in Worcester Now Charged With Murder

Rafael Guzman, 35, was ordered held without bail in connection to the death of his step-uncle 30-year-old Benjamin Pacheco

A Massachusetts man was charged with murder Friday in the death of a man whose burned body was found covered in bubble wrap last week in Worcester. 

The murder allegation comes after the same man was charged with disposing of the burned body.

Rafael Guzman, 35, appeared in Central District Court Friday where he was charged with murder in connection to the death of his step-uncle, 30-year-old Benjamin Pacheco. A not guilty plea was entered on Guzman's behalf and he was ordered held without bail.

"Additional evidence was gathered, including a statement from a witness who told police how Mr. Guzman had admitted to stabbing and killing Mr. Pacheco," Assistant District Attorney David Feraco said.

The Worcester man had appeared in court last Friday on a charge of accessory after the fact of murder in connection to Pacheco's death.

The body of Pacheco was found the morning of Sept. 10, when firefighters responded to an area near 277 Granite St. at about 6 a.m.

Pacheco, a native of Puerto Rico and a music producer known as "Benny Beats," was covered by a blanket and bubble-wrap material, according to investigators.

Prosecutors allege Pacheco was killed inside Guzman's apartment at Great Brook Valley Housing Development.

His loved ones said he got along with everyone and they don't understand why anyone would want to harm him.

"I don’t know, I just can't take it, you know what I mean? Being somebody who don't live in that life, getting caught up in that life, you can't believe it," Feddi said. "Family man, fun-loving, all about his nephews and nieces, his mom, his dad, he ain't deserve it, he was never a person in the street, he was at home, you know what I mean? He was a good guy, with a good heart."

After reviewing surveillance video at the apartment, police said Guzman and two other men were observed carrying a large bundle from the building.

Additional surveillance video showed Rivera's vehicle driving up and down Granite Street that morning and stopping for several minutes near the spot where Pacheco's body was later found, according to authorities.

The other two men in the surveillance video were later identified as Daniel Luis Rivera, 27, and Primitivo Matos, 35, both of Worcester. Both were arraigned Monday on accessory after the fact to murder. Both pleaded not guilty.

Rivera was ordered held on $75,000 bail and Matos was ordered held on $150,000 bail. Both men had open criminal matters with the court, so their previous bail was revoked.

Guzman is due back in court Oct 7.

Pacheco’s family released a statement saying, "Benny... loved everyone and did not judge anyone. He just wanted to make everyone laugh, and make sure everyone was OK. He would never say "no" if any of his friends or family needed a favor... We trust in God that justice will and is being served."

Contact Us