Marlborough murder victim was 'seeking the American dream' as business owner, friend says
MARLBOROUGH — Kethlen Paula Alves Trindade DaRocha came to the United States from Brazil with the hope to improve her life and help her family back home.
Those hopes came to a tragic halt on Wednesday, when the 28-year-old woman was shot and killed inside her Rice Street residence. Her alleged killer and on-and-off boyfriend, Marlon Moreira Costa, 29, then killed himself in what authorities say is a murder-suicide.
"Kethlen was sweetheart — we're all in shock with what happened," said Junior Dantas, a family friend from East Boston. "She was a 28-year-old, entrepreneur, started her own salon business in Brazil a few years ago, a very successful salon but just a little over a year and a half ago decided to come to the U.S. seeking the American dream. Her salon in Brazil is still active — her family is running the operation down there — and she was here working as a hairdresser and doing delivery. Always thinking and helping her family."
Earlier: Police investigating death of couple as murder-suicide in Marlborough
On Wednesday, police responded to the Rice Street residence for a report of a shooting. DaRocha's roommate called 911 at 10:05 a.m. When police went in, they found both DaRocha and Costa dead.
Family friend said couple had dated for a few months, breaking up 'a couple of times'
Dantas said DaRocha and Costa had been dating for a couple of months and had already broken up and gotten back together "a couple of times." On Tuesday night, they got into an argument at his home and the argument continued until Wednesday morning.
The argument continued at her apartment, with Dantas saying Costa threatened DaRocha and DaRocha told him she was going to call his mother and police.
"He went home and came back with a handgun, he asked her to open the door," said Dantas. "She refused to open the door, he found a window with an AC (air conditioner). He pushed the AC in, went through the window. One other person in the house tried to stop him, but when she saw the gun, she grabbed her own son and jumped out the window after hearing a shot. When she got out, she heard the second shot. Neighbors helped her take shelter and called 911 — but when they (police) arrived, it was already too late."
Fatal stabbing: Marlborough woman is charged with manslaughter
A GoFundMe has been created to help defray the costs of DaRocha's funeral. As of 2 p.m. Thursday, the fundraiser has raised a little more than $3,200 of the $6,000 being sought.
"Kethlen Paula Alves Tavares Trindade Rocha, 28 years old, born in Governador Valadares - MG, came to the United States with the American dream of helping her family in Brazil, but had this dream interrupted by a fatality," according to the GoFundMe. "She was a victim of Femicide. I ask Our Dear Community to help us with the expense of her Cremation. Thank you very much."
To donate to the GoFundMe, visit https://gofund.me/60133e36.
The Middlesex District Attorney's Office said Thursday there was no new information about the case and it remains under investigation.
Dantas said he's helping the family arrange a funeral locally, then send her remains home to Brazil.
"Kethlen was really nice to everyone, always cared about her family and friends, was really vibrant all the time and will be missed forever," Dantas said.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Marlborough shooting victim's friend launches funeral costs fundraiser
