Victims identified in Nashua double homicide
A Nashua man has been charged in connection with two suspicious deaths that occurred in a Maple Street parking lot in downtown Nashua late Friday night.
NASHUA, NH – Victor Rivera, 47, of Nashua, was arrested Saturday morning and charged with knowingly causing the deaths of the two victims, a male and female, by shooting them, and alternatively, for recklessly causing the deaths of the two victims under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life.
Late Saturday authorities announced that autopsies were completed earlier in the day on the bodies of Patricia Swett, 45, of Nashua, and Matthew Champagne, 44, of Manchester, New Hampshire.
The autopsies were conducted by Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Mitchell Weinberg. Dr. Weinberg determined that Patricia Swett’s cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, and her manner of death was homicide. Dr. Weinberg further determined that Matthew Champagne’s cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, and his manner of death was homicide.
Around 10:30 p.m. on September 29, 2023, Nashua police officers responded to calls reporting gunshots in the area of the Maple Street parking lot. Upon arrival, officers discovered Ms. Swett and Mr. Champagne deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
Rivera faces two counts of second-degree murder for knowingly causing the deaths of Ms. Swett and Mr. Champagne by shooting them with a firearm, and alternatively, on two counts of second-degree murder for recklessly causing the deaths of Ms. Swett and Mr. Champagne under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by shooting them with a firearm.
An arraignment is anticipated to be scheduled for some time on Monday, October 2, 2023, at Hillsborough County Superior Court – Southern District, in Nashua, at a time to be determined.
The charges and allegations against Mr. Rivera are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
