Two charged in death of Bellows Falls woman

Two men from Massachusetts were arrested in Springfield, Vt. Friday night on charges of Second Degree Homicide and Unlawful Restraint.

Dummerston, VT 7/30/2011 – At approximately 11:00 AM on Friday July 29th the Vermont State Police Brattleboro Barracks received a 911 call from a passing motorist regarding a deceased female in the woods off the north side of the East West Road in Dummerston, VT. Emergency responders were dispatched immediately. Upon arrival responders confirmed the victim was deceased.

Detectives from the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to the scene and were there for several hours. They were assisted by members of the Vermont State Police Crime Scene Search Team. The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy was performed this morning. Cause of death was determined to be from a gunshot wound to the head, manner homicide. The victim has been identified as Melissa Barratt,  age 31,  from Bellows Falls, Vermont.

Melissa Barratt

Detectives were able to determine through investigation that Frank Caraballo, 29 years old most recently from Brattleboro, VT and previously from Holyoke, MA was a suspect in this homicide. Caraballo was also the focus of an investigation by the Vermont Narcotics Task Force for sale of crack cocaine. He was arrested last night after being spotted in his vehicle in Springfield, VT by detectives. Another male was also located in the vehicle and was identified as Joshua Makhanda-Lopez 22 years old from Springfield, MA.

The investigation, to date, reveals that the victim had a relationship with Carabello and, just prior to this homicide, Carabello was actively searching for the Ms. Barratt regarding drug related activity. Investigators determined that Ms. Barratt was forcefully removed from an apartment in Brattleboro, VT. Information obtained also places Ms. Barratt with Caraballo and Makhanda-Lopez on July 28th at approximately 5:00 PM in the area of the East West Road in Dummerston, VT.

Caraballo and Ms. Barratt were seen walking into the wooded area where her body was ultimately discovered. Detectives are actively conducting interviews and are in the process of seeking a search warrant for Caraballo's vehicle.

Caraballo and Makhanda-Lopes were lodged last night at Southeastern Correctional Center in Springfield, on a no bail hold, on the following charges of Second Degree Homicide, Unlawful Restraint. These charges could be elevated upon the conclusion of this investigation in coordination with the Windham County State's Attorney.

Caraballo faces additional charges of 7 counts of Sale of Crack Cocaine each felony charges, stemming from a previous and separate investigation.

Makhanda-Lopez also faces additional charges of 3 counts of Sale of Crack cocaine each felonies, also stemming from a previous and separate investigation.

Frank Caraballo (left) and Joshua Makhanda-Lopez

 Both subjects are scheduled to be arraigned at the Windham County District Court on Monday August 1st at 12:30 P.M.

No other information is available at this time, as this continues to be an active investigation. When more information becomes available an update will be issued.

Source: Vermont State Police

UPDATE: http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110801/THISJUSTIN/708029989