Tewksbury Teen Dies Following Fight at Lowell Party: DA

TEWKSBURY, MA — A 15-year-old Tewksbury teen who had been hospitalized since Friday due to injuries suffered during a fight at a party in Lowell has died from his injuries, according to the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office.

The teen, who was not identified by the DA's office, had suffered a traumatic brain injury following a fight at a party on Boylston Street in Lowell where a number of teenagers had been drinking. The victim was pronounced dead at Tufts Medical Center early Monday morning.

Multiple media reports have identified the victim as Ethan Costello, 15, of Tewksbury.

The Tewksbury Public Schools superintendent Christopher Malone released a statement following the news:

Tewksbury Public Schools was sad to learn this morning that one of our high school students passed away as a result of events that took place over the weekend outside of school. Our thoughts and prayers are with this student's family, and know that as a school community we will support them.

As always our focus is to support our students during this difficult time. Along with our guidance counselors, school adjustment counselor, school psychologist, district administrators, we also have members of the NEMLEC STARS Crisis Recovery Team here today, and in the future if necessary, to provide safe places for our students to grieve and talk. We also have counselors available for ongoing grief counseling for our students.

Joseph Zagarella, 18, of Tewksbury, was arraigned on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Lowell District Court Judge Thomas Brennan ordered Zagarella to be held on $10,000 cash bail.

If Zagarella posts bail, he must be put on a GPS monitoring bracelet and placed on 24-hour lockdown confined to his residence.

The DA's office stated that the victim allegedly stumbled into Zagarella, who allegedly responded by picking up the victim and slamming him head-first into the concrete floor.

Witnesses told police that he also bragged about the assault as he left the party and allegedly lied to investigators prior to his arrest.

The case has been referred to the Medical Examiner's office, and the investigation is ongoing. The nature of the charges may be upgraded pending autopsy results.

Many have taken to social media to voice their support for the victim's family.

Editor's Note: This story was derived from information provided by the Middlesex County District Attorney's office. It does not indicate a conviction.