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Cristian Montero arrested in Lawrence

A Massachusetts man has been arrested in connection with the death and disappearance of his 37-year-old neighbor.

According to Lawrence, Massachusetts police, Carol Flaz was reported missing on August 31 after she was last seen at her residence about 30 miles from Boston.

WCVB reported that relatives said the woman received a phone call and left her apartment to throw out the trash before she disappeared.

Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said at a news conference broadcast by the news channel that authorities searched her home and building without success.

On Thursday morning, police announced that the body of the mother of two was found by a Massachusetts State Trooper near Kenoza Lake in Haverhill.

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According to the prosecutor, the suspect faces a murder charge

The suspect lived in the same building as Flaz and was identified as 35-year-old Cristian Montero. He was arrested earlier this week. It is not clear how they knew each other.

“There is currently a suspect in custody accused of witness intimidation and undermining the investigation,” Tucker said.

He continued: “When the coroner completes the autopsy, the charge will be upgraded to murder.”

The prosecutor's office reviewed surveillance footage during the investigation, reports say

According to WCVB reporting, investigators reviewed hours of surveillance video during their investigation, prosecutors said. The footage showed Flaz entering Montero's apartment in the apartment building.

Boston 25 News reported that Flaz was seen making the “sign of the cross” before entering his home. Montero was allegedly seen coming out of his apartment pushing a cart full of clothes.

Officials say Montero provided a false alibi, initially telling them he had gone to the barber shop, but cellphone data indicated he was near Haverhill, where her body was discovered, media reported.

“Officers from many different agencies, including the Lawrence Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Haverhill Police Department, and Methuen Police Department, spent numerous hours attempting to confirm or disprove the defendant's alibi,” Assistant District Attorney Jessica Fleet said during his court appearance, according to Boston 25.

Lawrence police held a vigil for Flaz Thursday night. Montero, who is reportedly being held without bail, is expected to appear in court next week.

“As soon as she walked into this office, she lit up the room. Always with a beaming smile. I am devastated, frustrated, angry,” Flaz's colleague Kendrys Vasquez told WBZ-TV.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected].

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