Local Man Admits to Killing Mother and Her Cats

By Les Masterson

Murder suspect Matthew McAveeney admitted to killing his mother and her two cats while being led into the Winchester Police Department on Tuesday night.

McAveeney fled the state after killing his mother earlier this month. He was captured in North Carolina and brought back to Massachusetts on Tuesday.

“To my mother, Barbara McAveeney, and to her cats, Pumpkin and Puffin McAveeney, I apologize deeply. Sometimes, I get out of control,” he said to reporters.

McAveeney was captured after he used his credit card at a North Carolina Wal-Mart, reported 7News.

McAveeney is being charged with murder in addition to initial charges filed against him: armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon on a person 60 years of age or older, assault and battery and two counts of cruelty to animals.

Previous coverage:

• UPDATED: Winchester Murder Suspect Caught in North Carolina
• Winchester Murder Suspect Remains on the Run
• Winchester Police Release Photo of Murder Suspect
• Police Search for Man in Alleged Beating Death of Mother
• Death in Winchester Being Investigated

Photo credit: WHDH