Police and Fire News

Two bodies found just Off Cape in Mattapoisett

Couple in their 70s discovered dead, one hanged himself

Mattapoisett shown by the red X above is one town past Wareham about ten miles from Cape Cod.

MATTAPOISETT - Police investigators at the scene of a home at 6 Tallman Street in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts Thursday (11-12-09) afternoon.

The  two bodies where found in a residence listed as owned by Joseph Battistelli and his wife, Shirley Battistelli. Police have been at the scene for several hours.

The nature of the deaths are not know at present. Police found Shirley Battistelli, 74, and her husband Joseph Battistelli, 72, dead inside their home.

Shirley Battistelli was found on the first floor of the home. Joseph Battistelli was found in the basement, officials said. He appeared to have hanged himself and to have suffered a gunshot wound, according to police.

Officials said there was no sign of forced entry, and the scenerio bore the usual signs of a murder-suicide.

A reader (below) sent us the Plymouth PD bulletin:
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz and Mattapoisett Police Chief Mary Lyons announced that two people were found dead today in their home in Mattapoisett. At approximately 2:09 p.m. today, Mattapoisett Police received a call reporting that two people were found dead at 6 Tallman Street, Mattapoisett. Upon arrival at that address, Mattapoisett Officers entered the home and found two people deceased inside. The scene was secured and State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office were notified and responded to the scene.

At this point investigators have confirmed that Shirley Battistelli, (DOB 10/15/35) and her husband Joseph Battistelli, (DOB 2/16/37) were found dead inside of their home at 6 Tallman Street.

Photo and video by David G. Curran.