The mother of an 18-year-old woman found dead from a gunshot wound in a Boston home owned by Representative Ayanna Pressley's husband is demanding answers, stating her daughter was murdered and that the truth will emerge. Yoseliani Marte was discovered by police on Saturday afternoon at the approximately $1.15 million property in the Mattapan neighborhood. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has determined the cause of death was a single gunshot wound, though the manner of death is still under investigation.
Marte's mother, Elenie Ocasio, has stated that she does not believe her daughter was suicidal. "My daughter did not deserve this, and it's all going to come out to light. Everything's gonna come out," Ocasio told Boston25News. She expressed disbelief that no one had called her or emergency services regarding her daughter's death.
As of Thursday, authorities had not announced any arrests or charges in connection with Marte's death. Boston police had responded to a call to "investigate a person" and found Marte's body inside the residence, according to Officer James Moccia. The investigation is being handled by the Boston police's Homicide Unit.
Conan Harris, Representative Pressley's spouse, purchased the house for $340,000 in 2021. Neither Pressley nor Harris reside at the property. The house was listed for $1.15 million last month.
Representative Pressley issued a statement on Tuesday via X, calling Marte's death a tragedy and stating that the 18-year-old's life was "cut short by domestic violence." She added that as a parent of a teenager, the thought of such a violent loss was "beyond crushing." However, the medical examiner's office has not yet confirmed the cause of death or concluded it was domestic violence. A spokesperson for Pressley's office stated that neither the congresswoman nor her family were involved in the incident.
Marte was remembered in a public obituary as a "beautiful soul whose kindness, warmth, and vibrant spirit touched everyone fortunate enough to know her." She is survived by her mother, father, and five siblings. A GoFundMe fundraiser established by Ocasio to help with expenses had raised approximately $16,700 as of Thursday night.