cellular telephone

Candlelight Vigil Held for Slain Massachusetts Teacher

A local domestic violence service organization partnered with a Massachusetts community Friday afternoon for a candlelight vigil after the murder of a beloved school teacher.

Harbor Communities Overcoming Violence held the candlelight vigil at Revere City Hall at noon in memory of Vanessa MacCormack, who worked as a school teacher Lynn before she was found dead over the weekend.

Police believe the 30-year-old woman was strangled and stabbed to death by her husband Andrew MacCormack in the couple’s Revere home.

The vigil was attended by politicians, women's rights groups, and speakers against domestic violence.

"I am sad, I am frustrated, I am angry, " said House Speaker Robert DeLeo at the vigil. "I think about a beautiful member of our community who was taken much too soon... Let us today grieve together. Let us today unite against violence."

"We start today with the name of Vanessa MacCormack in our hearts... and then a rush of other names - 347 of them - women, men and children who have been killed in the commonwealth of Massachusetts by a domestic partner since 2003," said Toni Troop of Jane Doe Inc., a Massachusetts coalition against sexual assault and domestic violence.

Vanessa MacCormack's funeral is scheduled for next week.

Police said Andrew MacCormack called 911 Saturday afternoon, but he was arrested three days later and charged with murder. Prosecutors said surveillance video and cell phone records led to his arrest.

Authorities believe the couple's 1-year-old daughter was home at the time of the killing.

Investigators said the couple's relationship was very rocky, citing Andrew MacCormack's drug problem. In a text message, Vanessa MacCormack told Andrew "I hate you so much. You've ruined (our daughter's) life because she won't have her parents together. I'll talk to our (agent) tomorrow about listing the house and I'll look into divorce lawyers."

He responded by typing "you're crazy. I'm not signing anything to sell the house or get divorced."

Even with this evidence, defense lawyers said this was is not a case of domestic violence.

Andrew MacCormack is currently being held without bail.

Contact Us