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16-Year-Old Charged In Murder Of Teen Girl In East Boston

EAST BOSTON (CBS) -- A 16-year-old boy has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a young woman found last month in an empty East Boston garage.

The body of 18-year-old Blanca Lainez was found stabbed and severely beaten in a garage on Princeton Street on June 15 by workers arriving to start renovations.

Police identified Jose Hernandez, 16, of East Boston as the suspect.

Blanca Lainez Boston Found Dead In Garage
Blanca Lainez (WBZ-TV)

"I can honestly tell you this one really troubled us, when a young 19-year-old girl is found abandoned in a garage like she was," Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans said . "I can honestly tell you we we worked very hard over the last several weeks to get who was responsible."

A roommate, who declined to be identified, told WBZ-TV's Jim Smith last month that she lived with Lainez in Chelsea. She said Lainez was from El Salvador, and that her five brothers and sister may also live in the U.S.

Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley said a warrant was obtained for Hernandez Saturday after an investigation that included phone records, video surveillance, and forensic evidence.

Police did not yet offer any details on a motive, and said the investigation into Lainez's death is still "very active."

Hernandez is expected to be arraigned in East Boston Municipal Court Monday.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal reports

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