A Peabody man, Alban Dobra, has had his charges upgraded to manslaughter after the death of his sister following a physical altercation between them on New Year’s Day. Originally held on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon leading to serious bodily injury, law enforcement states the deadly incident escalated when Dobra allegedly pushed his sister, causing her to suffer fatal head trauma.
Essex District Attorney Paul Tucker’s office confirmed that the victim, Mimoza Sawtelle, aged 55, was found unresponsive outside her brother’s residence following the dispute. Having received medical attention for the severe head injuries incurred, Sawtelle’s battle ended on Jan. 5, succumbing to her injuries, as noted by the Essex DA's office in a statement obtained by MassLive.
Police records indicate that they responded to the scene at around 5:22 p.m. on 3 Esquire Drive, where the tragic incident unfolded. Dobra was arrested on the night of the incident and, while initially charged the following day, found himself facing the graver charge after the death of his sister was pronounced. According to a CBS Boston report, Dobra will appear in court for the upgraded charges on Friday.
Adding to the complexity, reports indicated Dobra had tried to forcibly remove not only Sawtelle but another sister from his home before the fatal shove. Representing tragedy in its most jarring form, a family dispute turns deadly, leaving communities grappling with its grim realities. Dobra, who pleaded not guilty during Monday's arraignment, is scheduled for a dangerousness hearing, as reported by Boston.com. He continues to be held without bail, pending the outcome of the upcoming legal proceedings.
