After sixteen years since Patricia Santos vanished from Worcester, Massachusetts, an indictment for murder has been handed down to a Mississippi man, marking a significant breakthrough in a long-unsolved case that has haunted the Worcester community. As reported by NBC Boston, Albert Carabba, 64, from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, was indicted by a grand jury on September 23 and later arrested in connection with Santos' disappearance.
Originally reported missing on May 20, 2009, Santos has never reemerged into the folds of a life she once knew, leaving her family and friends in a perpetual state of seeking answers and justice. In a display of cross-jurisdictional cooperation, Carabba was taken into custody by detectives from the Ocean Springs Police Department with assistance from Worcester police detectives, as detailed in WCVB's report. The exact date for his extradition to Massachusetts is pending, with the anticipation of an arraignment at Worcester Superior Court.
The arrested individual, Carabba, shares a past with the victim; investigators say that Santos was Carabba's ex-girlfriend. While the details connecting Carabba to the crime have not been divulged by prosecutors, the Worcester Police Department has previously expressed concerns over a "volatile relationship" Santos was involved in, hinting at a complex background leading up to her disappearance.
Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier emphasized the department's enduring commitment to Santos' case, asserting, "For the last 16 years, the Worcester Police Department has not forgotten Patricia Santos." He continued, "This arrest highlights the steadfast, patient determination with which WPD officers and detectives worked to take the next steps towards justice for her and her family," echoing the resolve captured in a statement obtained by WCVB. Saucier promised that the "unresolved homicide finally moves forward," signaling a closer for her family amidst a myriad of questions surrounding Patricia’s disappearance.
