Ayer Woman Charged With Murder In Cousin's Death

AYER, MA – An Ayer woman accused of fatally stabbing her cousin in her apartment last week has been charged with murder, the Middlesex District Attorney's office said Friday. Laqwanda Villaronga, 26, allegedly stabbed 24-year-old Jonathan Merritt with a kitchen knife during a domestic dispute on Groton School Road.

Police responded to the home around 1:18 p.m. Friday and found Merritt with a stab wound to the torso, according to the DA's office. He was taken to Nashoba Valley Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Villaronga, who lives in the apartment, was arrested at the scene and initially charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

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