A Salem man is being held without bail after pleading not guilty Tuesday to the killing of his 20-year-old girlfriend and mother of two, Nayeli Nieves, according to the office of Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker.
Pablo Vicente, 33, was arraigned in Salem District Court Tuesday after he was arrested and charged with one count of murder in connection with his girlfriend’s disappearance and killing, the DA and Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller announced Tuesday.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Nieves’ body had still not been found. She was the mother of a 3-year-old and 18-month-old, who are now in the state’s custody, according to a press release from the DA’s office.
Assistant District Attorney A.J. Camelio told the judge Tuesday that one of Vicente’s relatives contacted a Lynn police detective Monday to say Vicente told him he had killed Nieves and left her body in a dumpster at their apartment complex at 12 Pope St. in Salem, the press release said.
That prompted Lynn police to contact Salem police, who went to the home and found evidence that supported the relative’s claim, the release said. Authorities launched a search for Nieves and arrested Vicente Tuesday morning, the DA’s office said.
While they did not find the woman’s body, investigators did uncover what they believe to be human remains in a dumpster, Miller said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
The DA’s office said the search for her body continued Tuesday afternoon.
Miller said during the press conference that Vicente has been arrested before and had a restraining order filed against him years ago.
The Department of Children & Families (DCF) has also taken custody of two children, officials said. Investigators are working on an exact timeline of when the events occurred.
