Neighbor's shifting alibis lead to arrest in Mass. woman's disappearance, police say

A Massachusetts man was arrested in connection to the death and disappearance of his 37-year-old neighbor.

According to the Lawrence, Mass., police department, Carol Flaz was reported missing on August 31, after being last spotted at her residence, about 30 miles from Boston.

WCVB reported that loved ones said the woman got a call and stepped out of her apartment to throw away the garbage before she vanished.

Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said at a press conference shared by the news station that authorities searched her apartment and building with no luck.

On Thursday morning, police announced that the body of the mother of two was located by a Massachusetts State Trooper near Kenoza Lake in Haverhill.

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Suspect could face murder charges, according to the DA

The suspect lived in the same building as Flaz and was identified as 35-year-old Cristian Montero. He was arrested earlier this week. It's not clear how they knew one another.

“At this time, we have a suspect in custody on a charge of witness intimidation with a charge of misleading an investigation,” Tucker said.

He continued,“When the medical examiner’s office completes their autopsy that those charges will be upgraded to murder."

The District Attorney's Office reviewed security footage during the investigation, reports say

During their probe, the district attorney's office said detectives reviewed hours of security video, according to WCVB's report. The footage captured Flaz entering Montero's unit at the apartment building.

Boston 25 News reported Flaz was seen making the "sign of the cross" before going inside his home. Montero was allegedly seen coming out of his unit pushing a wagon with clothes.

Officials claim that Montero provided a phony alibi, initially telling them that he went to the barbershop. But cellphone data linked him near Haverhill, where her body was discovered, the outlets reported.

“Officers from many different agencies including the Lawrence Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Haverhill Police Department, and Methuen Police Department have spent numerous hours trying to confirm or dispel the defendant’s alibi,” Assistant District Attorney Jessica Fleet said during his court appearance, per Boston 25.

The Lawrence Police Department held a community vigil for Flaz on Thursday night. Montero, who is reportedly jailed without bail, is expected to return to court next week.

"The moment that she walked into this office, she would light up the room. Always with a bright smile. I'm devastated, frustrated, angry," Flaz's coworker, Kendrys Vasquez, told WBZ-TV.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.