Domestic argument becomes murder-suicide
By GAIL LOWE
WAKEFIELD — Sunday morning’s calm at Colonial Point Apartments, 95 Audubon Rd., was broken yesterday when an estranged husband and wife trying to reconcile their relationship were the victims of an apparent murder-suicide, said police.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Wakefield Police Chief Richard Smith made a joint announcement that Daniel Burns, 42, of Wakefield, and Christine Giordano, 45, of Malden, were both pronounced dead yesterday morning.
At 10:44 a.m. Sunday, Wakefield police received a 911 call about an apparent suicide at 95 Audubon Rd. Shortly after, a second 911 call was received reporting an individual with injuries in the lobby of a building at that same address.
When first responders arrived at the scene, they found Giordano suffering from stab wounds inside the building. She was transported to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Burns was found deceased on the grounds outside the 12-story building after apparently jumping from the ninth floor of the building.
Kristen Giardina of Indianapolis, who was visiting her mother and sister over the weekend at the apartment complex, said that an argument reportedly had broken out on the ninth floor before the incident and that when Burns fell, he struck a boulder at the rear of the building.
“It’s all very sad,” she said.
“While this is still an active investigation, we have information from individuals who found Christine Giordano that indicates she was stabbed by her husband before he took his own life,” said Ryan. “This is a very sad ending to a tragic case of domestic violence.”
Chief Richard Smith added, “This appears to be a terrible act of domestic violence. We are working very closely with our partners in the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office to conduct a full and thorough investigation. On behalf of the entire community, my heartfelt condolences go out to the victim’s family. Domestic violence is a horrible thing and we will do all that we can to investigate this act and work to prevent such tragedies in the future.”
Authorities say Daniel Burns had two active restraining orders in Middlesex County but neither involve the victim in this incident. Officials say Burns and Giordano were married but estranged when this incident occurred. Burns apparently was living with a relative who is a resident of the Colonial Point complex.
Police from Wakefield responding to the scene were Patrol Officers Gerald Holleran, Meaghan Leary and Brett Rossicone along with Detectives Richard Dinanno, John Ryan, Christopher Grace and Kenneth Silva.
This case is being investigated by the Wakefield Police Department and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.
The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant District Attorney Adrienne Lynch. The Victim Witness Advocate is Kristen Chamberlain.
