Massachusetts man accused of hurting teen girlfriend with sword before her death
STOW - A Stow man was ordered held without bail on charges that he seriously injured his 17-year-old girlfriend with a sword before she was found dead.
The Middlesex County District Attorney said police were called to a home on Great Road Friday afternoon for a well-being check. Shane Curry, 20, allegedly wouldn't let officers inside the home for two hours.
When police finally got inside, they found the body of Curry's girlfriend, 17-year-old Naveah Goddard, who also lived in the home. Police said Curry told them he stabbed Goddard with a sword. Officers later found a sword inside Curry's bedroom.
Curry was charged with assault and battery on a household or family member and assault and battery causing serious bodily injury. An autopsy will be done to determine Goddard's official cause of death and the Middlesex County DA said additional charges are possible.
A not guilty plea was entered on Curry's behalf Monday when he was arraigned in Concord District Court. According to court paperwork, Curry was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2020.
Goddard's great-uncle said she had a troubled life and had run away from her guardians in Rhode Island. He said he still had moments of joy with her.
"We took her to Disney when she was 13 and she had the best time, she was the best behaved kid," said Albert Simmons. "When she would stay with us, she would make us laugh because she would say, is it OK if I go to bed now? We got this news and it's just devastating. We're totally, totally devastated by it."
Court paperwork revealed that Curry was known to police through "numerous" prior interactions. In one instance in 2023, police said he barricaded himself inside his room following a domestic violence incident involving his mother.
Curry is expected back in court April 17 for a dangerousness hearing.
