Massachusetts police release new images in hunt for suspect wanted in double murder of servicemember, daughter
Police in Massachusetts have released new images in the manhunt for a fugitive following the double-murder of a servicewoman and her 11-year-old daughter.
The U.S. Marshals Service is now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Dejan Belnavis, a 27-year-old being sought by the Worcester Police Department in connection to the deaths of Chastity Nuñez and her child Zella.
Nuñez, a Connecticut Army National Guard member, was found shot and killed alongside her daughter while they were sitting in a car in Worcester last Tuesday.
"Belnavis is to be considered armed and dangerous," police wrote in a wanted poster after city officials decried the violence as "senseless."
Police said Thursday that a second suspect linked to the homicide, 28-year-old Karel Mangual, has been taken into custody.
"He is charged with Armed Assault to Murder and Carrying a Firearm without a License," Worcester Police said. "He also had a preexisting arrest warrant. He will be arraigned in court."
Belnavis, who is being sought on the same charges, is described as being 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
National Guard spokesperson Maj. David Pytlik told Fox News Digital that Nuñez was "incredibly resilient, brilliantly intelligent, destined for success."
"I'd describe Chasity as incredibly resilient, brilliantly intelligent, destined for success in her civilian and military careers, and more full of compassion than anyone I know," Pytlik said.
MASSACHUSETTS POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT FOR SUSPECT LINKED TO DOUBLE MURDER OF MOTHER, DAUGHTER
Nuñez had been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Army Achievement Medal since joining the service in 2020, Pytlik said.
"Her wit, social nature and dedication to duty made her one of the best soldiers in our unit. I cannot begin to make sense of why this happened and why her family, friends, co-workers and fellow soldiers have been robbed of her and Zella," Pytlik added. "What we can, and must do now, is support one another as we grieve, process this profound loss and honor their memory."
Nuñez's daughter Zella was remembered as a good student who was well liked.
"At the school Zella attended, she was known as a high-achieving sixth-grade student who had many friends and was well respected by her teachers," a spokesperson from the Worcester Public Schools told Fox News Digital.
Fox News’ Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.