Man Charged In Fatal Assault On Reading Woman: DA

LOWELL, MA — A man has been charged in connection with an assault that led to his mother's death, according to a statement from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon.

Michael Belous, 23, of Lowell, was charged with assault and battery on a household or family member, assault and battery causing serious bodily injury.

Police responded to a call reporting a woman beaten up and barely breathing at a home on Middlesex Street early Monday morning. Police arrived and found the victim, Elena Vainer, 51, of Reading, deceased inside the home with obvious bruising to her face and other apparent trauma.

A preliminary police investigation found that the victim had been in Lowell visiting her son at his condominium over the weekend. Michael Belous is a student at UMass-Lowell, WCVB-5 ABC reported.

At some point during the visit, a physical fight occurred that prosecutors allege resulted in the victim being severely beaten and suffering multiple injuries to her head and neck. Belous was arrested Monday morning and will be arraigned Tuesday in Lowell District Court.

First responders arrived at the condo and found Vainer was already dead, WCVB-5 ABC reported.

Assistant District Attorney Yashmeen Desai said that "(First responders) found the victim to be cold to the touch with pooling of blood to her back, obvious signs of injury to her face, her left hand and neck."

Belous' attorney told WCVB-5 ABC that the evidence in the case is questionable and noted that his client called 911.

The case has been referred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner who will determine the cause and manner of death. Additional charges may be filed.