Boyfriend charged after 17-year-old found dead in Massachusetts home, DA says

BURRILLVILLE, R.I. (WJAR) — A 20-year-old man is facing charges after his 17-year-old girlfriend was found dead inside a home in Massachusetts.

The "suspicious death" of Nevaeh Goddard happened Friday at a home on Great Road in Stow, according to the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office. Police were called to the home around 4:30 p.m. for a well-being check.

When authorities got to the home, they said Shane Curry was at the door and wouldn't let investigators inside for nearly two hours.

When police gained access, they said they found Goddard dead inside.

Based on the preliminary investigation, police arrested and charged Curry with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death and if additional charges are possible.

"Never in a million years did I ever think this [would happen]," a teary-eyed Michael Simmons, Goddard's grandfather said.

Simmons said his granddaughter Nevaeh had a difficult upbringing, being born in prison and spending time in the care of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families. Regardless of the hardships, he said she was free-spirited, loyal, and the life of the party in the neighborhood she grew up in.

"There couldn't have been a nicer, more soulful, and more spiritual person," Simmons said.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help with expenses for memorial services.