Crime & Safety
Bridgewater Murder: Police Hunting for Third Suspect
Police are hunting for a third suspect in a Bridgewater murder last year. Fernando Owens, 43, of Dorchester, has been on the run for months.
Photo: Fernando Owens. (Credit: Plymouth County District Attorney's Office)
BRIDGEWATER, MA — Police are hunting for a murder suspect accused of killing a New Jersey woman last year and dumping her body near train tracks in Bridgewater.
Fernando Owens, 43, of Dorchester, is considered armed and dangerous. He’s 5 feet, 9 inches and 160 pounds. He has several tattoos on both shoulders. Anyone with information is asked to call police immediately.
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Owens has been on the run since November. Police said he killed Ashley Bortner, 29, of Paulsboro, N.J. Her burned body was discovered near the MBTA train tracks in Bridgewater Nov. 3.
Find out what's happening in Plymouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A New Hampshire couple helped Owens commit the murder, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz.
Julian Squires, 41, and his wife Shannon, 39, of Manchester, were arrested last year. They are currently in custody.
All three suspects were indicted this week on murder and aggravated kidnapping charges.
Authorities said Owens killed Bortner because he believed she had a hand in the death of his son.
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