Crime & Safety
Man Gets Life in Prison for Punching Girlfriend to Death
A Sutton man was sentenced in the beating death of his girlfriend during a fight in their kitchen.
WORCESTER COUNTY—A Sutton man was sentenced this week to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to the 2013 beating death of his former girlfriend, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
Thomas Starefos, 49, Torrey Road, Sutton, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, the judge giving him the sentence with possibility of parole after 20 years.
Starefos killed Colleen Butler, 60, who lived with him at the Torrey Road home, on Nov. 30 during an argument that ensued in the kitchen. Starefos punched Butler several times in the face and then delayed calling 911 for more than 30 minutes. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported that Ms. Butler died of blunt trauma to the head and neck.
