BOSTON (SHNS) – Domestic violence-related manslaughter and murder cases increased nearly 20% here in 2024, rising to the highest number in at least five years, according to the latest report from the State Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team.
There were 26,297 domestic violence offenses reported to Massachusetts law enforcement in 2024, the report says. Most of the incidents (16,532 or about 63%) were simple assaults, followed by aggravated assault (6,025 or about 23%). Both were down slightly from 2023, the report said.
But all other categories saw increases from 2023 to 2024, including 31 murders or non-negligent manslaughters (up 19.23% from 2023’s 26 incidents), 309 kidnappings or abductions (up 0.32%) and 3,400 cases of intimidation (up 8%)…