Lynn man pleads not guilty to killing brother’s pregnant former girlfriend

A 26-year-old Lynn man appeared in court Thursday after he was accused of murdering his brother’s former girlfriend, who was three months pregnant when she died. 

Prosecutors allege Zachary Vozzella killed Brianna Welsh, 25, who was found dead in her apartment Wednesday morning with multiple apparent “sharp force injuries,” the Essex County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release. Vozzella is charged with murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Lynn police officers found Welsh dead in her Lynnway home yesterday morning after her mother requested a wellness check, the DA’s office said in its release on Thursday. Welsh shared the apartment with her former boyfriend, 24-year-old Brendon Vozzella, and his brother Zachary had been staying with the couple, according to a statement of facts filed in court.

Lynn police arrested Brendon Vozzella Tuesday afternoon following a report of domestic violence, and prosecutors allege Zachary Vozzella murdered Welsh while his brother was in police custody.

According to the statement of facts, Zachary Vozzella initially told investigators he didn’t see Welsh Tuesday after she went to Salem Hospital following the alleged domestic violence incident. He allegedly told investigators he spent several hours at a Dunkin’ in Lynn, but authorities said surveillance video disproved that claim.

Zachary Vozzella eventually admitted he had been in the apartment Tuesday afternoon and evening, though he maintained he didn’t see Welsh during that time, according to the statement of facts. He told investigators he left the apartment around 8:30 p.m. with his belongings and took an Uber to another apartment where he’d be staying, the court document states.

According to the statement of facts, surveillance video showed Vozzella carrying several bags, including a trash bag that investigators were later able to track down. Prosecutors allege the bag contained clothing with red-brown stains, as well as a kitchen knife that tested positive for the presence of blood.

Zachary Vozzella pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Thursday and was held without bail, and is due back in court on Sept. 10 for a probable cause hearing. Boston.com has reached out to his attorney for comment. 

In a statement, Lynn Mayor Jared C. Nicholson said the city is left with many questions and a “profound grief” following Welsh’s death. 

“I am so sorry for the devastating loss of Brianna Welsh,” Nicholson said. “That she was an expectant mother makes this even more tragic, chilling, outrageous, and impossible to comprehend.”

Essex District Attorney Paul Tucker and Lynn Chief of Police Christopher Reddy vowed to seek justice on behalf of Welsh and her unborn child. 

“The tragic violence that has taken the life of Brianna Welsh and her unborn child has created an unbearable loss for her family,” Tucker said in a statement. “While their loss cannot be repaired or remedied, I hope that our efforts to seek justice on her behalf assures them that we and the community support them.”