A 37-year-old Taunton man has been charged with murder after his girlfriend was found unresponsive inside his townhouse Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
Police and emergency medical crews were called to a home on Allcot Circle at about 12:51 p.m. on Sept. 17 after receiving a report of an unconscious woman. Officers found Shannon Smith, 37, of Bridgewater, at the bottom of a staircase inside the townhouse.
Smith was taken to Morton Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
Investigators identified the man at the residence as Matthew Cruz, 37. Cruz lives at the Allcot Circle home and was in a dating relationship with Smith. Authorities said their investigation determined that Smith’s death resulted from a domestic incident involving Cruz.
Cruz was taken into custody and charged with one count of murder. He is from Taunton and formerly lived in Bridgewater.
The circumstances surrounding Smith’s death remain under investigation, and authorities have not publicly disclosed the specific manner in which she died.
Cruz was scheduled to appear in Taunton District Court at about 9 a.m. Friday for his arraignment. The case remains active, with Taunton police and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office continuing to investigate.
Because the case is still developing, additional details about what led to Smith’s death and the evidence gathered by investigators may become available as the court proceedings move forward.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence or concerned about someone who may be in danger can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visit thehotline.org, or text LOVEIS to 22522.
