Joseph Wright Suspected Of Killing Mother, Grandmother

A Massachusetts man suspected of killing his mother and grandmother was taken into custody as he attempted to cross the border from the United States into Canada.

Police found the bodies of Melba Trahant, 83, and her daughter, Donna Breau, 54, Tuesday morning behind Lynnhurst Elementary School in Saugus, a town about 11 miles northeast of Boston.

Breau's son, 23-year-old Joseph E. Wright, was caught as he tried to flee the U.S. at the Canadian Border entry point in Woodstock, New Brunswick.

According to Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, Canada Border Services officers had directed Wright to a secondary screening area, but he refused and drove off. Wright was pursued by Canadian authorities and was subsequently apprehended in Richmond Corner, New Brunswick.

Canadian authorities transported Wright back to Border Services, where he was turned over to Maine State Police. Wright is now being held in the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, Maine, on charges of being a fugitive from justice.

At a brief court appearance in Maine this afternoon, Wright waived extradition. Later this week, officials expect to return him to Massachusetts, where he faces two murder charges.

According to an affidavit for an arrest warrant, Wright confessed to Canadian authorities that he killed his mother and grandmother. Wright allegedly said he slit their throats and hid their bodies behind the school.

Police said Wright lived with his mother, one floor above his grandmother. At the time of his arrest, Wright was driving his grandmother’s Toyota Corolla.

A motive for the murders is not mentioned in the affidavit. The medical examiner is expected to complete autopsies on the victims later Wednesday.

"More specific details of the homicides will be presented at Mr. Wright’s arraignment," Blodgett said.