Worcester Man Found Guilty Of Murdering Webster Woman

WORCESTER, MA — Donovan Goparian of Worcester, was found guilty on Tuesday of first-degree murder in the death of a Webster woman back in 2015. Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early announced the verdict on Tuesday.

Goparian, 42, of Worcester, was charged with shooting and killing Marie R. Martin, 35, and burning her body inside her car. The burning car was found by first responders off Swan Avenue in 2015. The trial against Goparian began last week and went to the jury to begin deliberations on Monday.

Sentencing for Goparian is scheduled for March 6. By statute, Goparian will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Martin met Goparian through her handyman — according to Masslive, she was looking to hire Goparian as a hitman to assault or kill her ex-husband. Martin was in a custody battle with her ex. Upon meeting Goparian attacked Martin, killing her and setting the car on fire.

“This was a very difficult case for many reasons,” Early said. “The hard work of the prosecution team, consisting of the Worcester Police Department and Assistant District Attorneys Terry McLaughlin and Mark McShera, was outstanding. They presented this case in a very concise and evidence-based manner. I would like to thank the jury for their attention to the evidence and thoughtful deliberations in this trial.”