Saugus double homicide suspect attempts to cross border

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — A Lynn, Mass. man wanted in connection with a double homicide in Saugus, Mass. was in custody early Wednesday morning as he attempted to cross the U.S./Canada border.
    Joseph Wright, 23, of Lynn, Mass. was scheduled to be arraigned in Houlton District Court Wednesday afternoon. Wright waived extradition and was taken into custody by Massachusetts State Police Detectives who returned him to Massachusetts, where he will face murder charges.
    Donna Breau, 54, Wright’s mother, was identified as one of the victims in the double homicide. The other victim was his 83-year-old grandmother, Melba Trahant, according to published reports.
    According to District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, of the Essex District Attorney’s Office, the murders occurred sometime Tuesday. Wright arrived at the Canadian Border entry point in Houlton shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday and was trying to enter Woodstock, New Brunswick. When he attempted to cross the border, Canada Border Services officers directed him to a secondary screening area. Wright then fled the area and was pursued by Canadian authorities. He was subsequently apprehended in Richmond Corner, N.B. and taken back to Border Services.
    “Early this morning (Wednesday), Royal Canadian Mounted Police turned Mr. Wright over to U.S. Border Patrol who then turned him over to Maine State Police,” Blodgett said.
    Sgt. Brian L. Harris responded to the Houlton Point of Entry and arrested Wright without incident, charging him with being a fugitive from justice. The investigation is ongoing in cooperation with Lynn Police Dept. (Mass.) and Massachusetts State Police. Sgt. Harris was assisted by U.S. Customs and United States Border Patrol. 
    “I want to thank Massachusetts State Police Detectives and Crime Scene Services, Saugus and Lynn Police, Canada Border Services Agency, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, FBI, U.S. Customs Border Patrol and Maine State Police for working so hard to identify and apprehend the suspect of this horrific and gruesome crime so quickly,” Blodgett said. “More specific details of the homicides will be presented at Mr. Wright’s arraignment.”