Murder Victim Identified As Former Groveland Building Inspector

GROVELAND, MA — The Essex County District Attorney's Office, Massachusetts State Police and Groveland police were continuing to investigate the murder of the town's former building inspector Saturday morning. Police responded to 20 Governors Road in Groveland just before midnight Friday, where they found Patsy Schena, 82, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Schena was pronounced dead at the scene.

"This is a shocking and brutal crime," said Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett. "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr. Schena as they try to comprehend this horrific event."

It was the first reported murder in Groveland, a town of 6,459, since 1992. Schena lived at the address where police were called for a report of an unresponsive man. Schena had been the town's building inspector for many years.

"He was well-known and respected in the community," Chief Jeff Gillen said. "We are deeply saddened and shocked by this loss and our thoughts are with his family."

In 2011, Schena was issued a summons for filing a fraudulent insurance claim and interference with a witness, according to Groveland police logs.