Peabody Man Charged With Manslaughter In Sister's Death

PEABODY, MA — A Peabody man is facing manslaughter charges after police said his sister died from injuries she suffered when he pushed her off the front steps of his Esquire Drive home and she struck her head on the pavement below on New Year's Day.

The Essex County District Attorney on Monday said that Alban Dobra, 39, was attempting to force his two sisters from his single-family home late in the afternoon when he pushed Mimoza Sawtelle, and her head struck the paved pathway in front of the house, causing a serious head injury.

She was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment. She later died of her injuries on Friday.

Police said Dobra was arrested on New Year's Day evening and initially charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and held without bail. The charges were upgraded on Monday after Sawtelle's death.

The Essex DA's Office said Dobra is due back in court for a detention hearing on Jan. 12