Charges against Matthew Dion upgraded to first-degree murder

MANCHESTER, NH — Matthew Dion will be charged with first-degree murder in the strangulation death of his parents. On June 19 prosecutors announced charges against Dion have been upgraded from two counts of second-degree murder.

According to prosecutors Dion, 39, on March 9, 2014 beat his parents, Robert and Constance Dion, before using a wire to strangle them. Their bodies were discovered March 24, 2014, inside their Moorseville Road home after it was destroyed by fire.

A warrant for Dion’s arrest was issued by Manchester Police in connection with the murders and arson. He remained a fugitive for nearly 15 months before his capture June 3 by U.S. Marshals outside a Florida hotel where he had been working and living.

Dion has also been charged with arson and child pornography.

If convicted of first-degree murder, Dion faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. He will be held without bail until his case goes to trial.

Dion’s defense attorney waived arraignment Friday on the new charges as well as a probable-cause hearing on the other charges pending against him.

Prosecutors now have 90 days to present the cases to the grand jury.

Related stories:

• CAPTURED: Accused murder suspect Matthew Dion arrested in Florida
• Plot thickens, reward increased for Matthew Dion, wanted for murder of parents
• Murder suspect Dion was ‘hiding in plain sight’ in Florida
• Man charged with murdering parents returns to NH, arraignment set for June 12
• FBI: Manchester fugitive wanted for murder of parents may be in Georgia
• Wider net cast for city man now among ’15 Most Wanted’ in the U.S. for murdering parents
• Jarrett Cote of Manchester sought by U.S. Marshals as fugitive
• Wanted Manchester murder suspect on the loose in Georgia, frequents Dunkin’ Donuts
• Reward doubled for capture of Manchester NH man wanted for murder of parents

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