Mass. woman charged after boyfriend found dismembered in her closet

Kathryn Podgurski, 33, of Brockton, Massachusetts, was taken into police custody on July 22 after the remains of her boyfriend, Joseph Shaw, 44, were found in a closet in her apartment.  CBS Boston reported that the police discovered Shaw’s body one day earlier: “Just after 10:30 p.m., Podgurski flagged down police and directed them to her third-floor apartment on Green Street, where officers found Shaw’s body.” CBS also reported the Plymouth district attorney as saying that Shaw’s body was found in his apartment Friday night after authorities got a call from a nearby motel. It’s not clear if it was Podgurski who placed that call.

Multiple stab wounds were evident on the body.  Police described the scene as “gruesome.”  Tim Cruz, the Plymouth County District Attorney, described the body as must having been in that closet, “for a while.” Cruz added, “The brockton police found a 44 year old male victim, deceased and in an apartment where he lived. It appears he had been dead for a period of time and had suffered trauma.” Following her arrest, Podgurski was charged with one count of accessory murder after the fact in connection with Shaw’s death.

Podgurski made her first appearance and was arraigned in Brockton District Court on July 24, according to a separate report from CBS Boston. Prosecutors argued to upgrade the charges originally brought against her, saying that she lied to police about being robbed in an attempt to cover up her boyfriend’s death.  In court, prosecutors also said that, “the body had been stabbed about 40 times, was partially dismembered, and had been dead a significant period of time.” Shaw’s sister, Sandra, reported her brother missing as early as July 17, meaning his body may have been in Podgurski’s closet for about five days before she flagged down police.

“It’s heartbreaking. I don’t know if he suffered. I don’t know who would do such a horrific crime. I mean why would you take? For what? What are you getting out of taking a life? That I don’t understand,” Sandra said.  ~ per CBS Boston

Shaw’s sister also told reporters that the apartment belonged to her brother, not Podgurski, and that her brother and Podgurski were not romantically involved.  The investigation into Shaw’s death is still active.  Authorities stressed that his murder did not appear to be a random act.

Written by:  Ace News Today Staff