Wife arrested in lesbian domestic violence homicide

Just after 7 p.m. on March 28, 2010, in Granby, Massachusetts, police responded to a 911 call and discovered Annamarie Cochrane Rintala's lifeless body in her basement, covered in paint. Her wife, Cara Rintala, was holding her body on her lap, crying "Oh my God, she's dead." The couple were married and lived with their 4-year-old daughter. Cara Rintala told police her wife had slipped.

The medical examiner's report determined that Annamarie Cochrane Rintala's death occurred between noon and 2 p.m. that day. The cause of death was strangulation and the body showed evidence of extensive bruising and deep, jagged scalp wounds.

No arrests were made in the case, until Wednesday, Oct. 19 after an 18-month investigation. Police arrested Cara Rintala while she was driving in Rhode Island, where she now lives. The couple's daughter was in the car at the time of the arrest and is reported to be with family.

Cara Rintala pleaded not guilty in Hampshire Superior Court to a charge of first-degree murder. Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan said he has enough evidence to make a conviction in the case. This appears to be the first alleged homicide in Massachusetts involving a married same-sex couple.

Cara Rintala told police that the day of the murder she was out shopping with the couple's daughter so Annamarie could sleep. Prosecutors say the cell phone records tell a different story, with many texts and phone calls from Cara to Annamarie, none answered. They also allege the crime scene had been cleaned up by the time the police arrived. A laundry basket covered a bloodstain.

Prosecutors say surveillance images from a nearby McDonald's show Cara Rintala using a trash can at 5:48 p.m. Police retrieved rags from the can; one had blood that is consistent with the victim's. Another surveillance image from a Stop & Shop shows Cara Rinalta's truck with a laundry basket.

Cara Rintala is being held without right to bail at the Western Massachusetts Women's Correctional Facility in Chicopee.

The couple was together for nearly 10 years, and both worked as paramedics for local fire departments. Prosecutors describe the relationship as one headed for divorce with mutual physical and emotional abuse. The couple was also in financial trouble. Each had taken restraining orders out against the other and an investigation by the Department of Social Services found that their daughter had been neglected.

The murder has reverberated around the local Pioneer Valley community and the LGBT community. ?"As the leading domestic violence service provider in Hampshire County, we are aware of the community concern, sadness, and outrage connected to this case. Our sincere condolences go once again to the family of Annamarie. We view this as a call for continued work within our community so that we can build a safer and more just community for all who suffer silently with the consequences of domestic violence." said Marianne Winters, Executive Director of Safe Passage, a domestic violence shelter serving western Massachusetts.

In an alarming trend, domestic violence advocates have identified seven domestic violence-related homicides involving LGBT couples in Massachusetts in the past 18 months. Curt Rogers, Executive Director of GMDVP stated, "These numbers should be a wakeup call for all those involved in the field of domestic violence in Massachusetts. Because so many GLBTQ individuals feel compelled to hide their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, these numbers may be actually higher."

If you have concerns about your relationship, GMDVP can provide support, can help explore your options and make plans to stay safe. GMDVP can be reached through its 24/7 hotline: (800) 832-1901.

Safe Passage can be reached through its 24/7 hotline at (888) 345-5282. They are available to provide educational presentations and outreach to organizations and groups throughout Hampshire County. The office phone is (413) 586-1125 and their website address is www.safepass.org