Stoughton Murder Suspect Is Undocumented: Report

STOUGHTON, MA — A man accused of stabbing his wife to death last Friday while his children were home and making an apparent attempt to end his own life is in the United States illegally, acoording to federal immigration authorities. Ilton Rodrigues, 48, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder during his arraignment Monday at Boston Medical Center.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials told the Brockton Enterprise Rodriques is an undocumented Brazilian national. ICE will seek deportation for Rodriques pending the outcome of the case.

Just before midnight on Friday, police arrived at Rodriques's Bennett Drive home after receiving a call from a relative who had been contacted by the couple's daughter. Police forced entry and found Telma Bras, 43, dead of an apparent stabbing, according to Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey.

Rodriguez had injuries consistent with a suicide attempt, Morrissey said. According to prosecutors, Rodrigues confessed to killing his wife, Telma Bras, 43, to officers Friday night, the Brockton Enterprise reported. Prosecutors said Rodrigues also sent his brother a voice mail after the incident, where he confessed to killing his wife and told his brother he was going to kill himself.

Police said Rodrigues does not have a known history of domestic violence, and their only interaction with him was for a minor motor vehicle infraction. The couple's two children – a 17-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son – were home at the time of the attack, Morrissey said.

Rodrigues's next court date is scheduled for June 10.