North Andover Murder Victim Was "Kind, Caring"

NORTH ANDOVER, MA -- The North Andover woman who was found strangled in the basement of her home on 50 Lincoln Street was a kind and caring animal lover who had gotten engaged on Valentine's Day. But a friend of Wendi Davidson said that engagement had been broken off earlier this month and that the 49-year-old mother of a college-aged son was trying to remain upbeat and move on with her life.

"It was tough on her, like it would be tough on anyone. But Wendi always tried to be positive," said the woman, who asked that her name not be used for publication. She and Davidson had gone to high school in Stoneham together and had kept in touch.

A spokeswoman for the Essex County District Attorney's office said Monday morning that there were no new details into the murder investigation that started after Davidson's body was discovered by a neighbor on Saturday morning. Investigators have not named a suspect in the case and are awaiting autopsy results, but have said that a preliminary investigation suggests she was strangled. They also said that Davdison's death does not appear to be a random act.

Davidson had two sons, one who lives in Tewksbury and one who lives in Danvers. Shemoved to North Andover four years ago and worked as a staff accountant at AHA Consulting and Engineering company in Lexington. Davidson grew up in Malden and Stoneham and graduated from Stoneham High School in 1987. Her father and step mother live in Tewksbury.

"She was the type of person who didn't want people worrying about her," the friend said. "No matter how bad her problems were, she;d downplay it and ask what she could do to help you with your problem."

Investigators executed search warrants on the victim's apartment and motor vehicle, which was located at Choice Fitness, a short distance away from her home.

Police were called to a residence at 50 Lincoln Street at 12:28 pm Saturday by the woman's brother. Another woman who lived at 50 Lincoln Street had alerted Davidson's brother after finding her body in the basement of the multi-unit home.

The family has scheduled a private burial. Visiting hours are Thursday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home. Davidson's funeral will begin Friday at 9:00 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by Funeral Mass on Friday at 10:00 a.m. in St. William’s Church in Tewksbury.

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Photo by Tewksbury Funeral Home.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).