State agency opens investigation of Worcester spa where woman was shot dead

WORCESTER ― State regulators have opened an investigation into the city “bodyworks" spa where a woman was fatally shot in the head Thanksgiving.

A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure confirmed to the Telegram & Gazette last week that the board has opened a complaint against Angies Bodyworks Spa at 383 Pleasant St.

The department confirmed the probe after the T&G submitted several questions regarding language used on the spa’s website to describe its services.

The website for the business describes some of its services as “massage.”

However, Angies Bodyworks is not a licensed massage parlor, the licensing division confirmed, and the use of the word “massage” by an unlicensed business is not proper.

Under state law, spas that engage in “bodyworks” — a less strenuous form of contact than “massage” — are able to operate without a license but cannot advertise or perform massage services.

The state has previously considered use of the term “massage” on a website to be advertising, the licensing division confirmed.

Lawmakers have considered passing legislation in recent years that would close what some see as the bodyworks “loophole” in Massachusetts, but have yet to do so.

State Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, has proposed legislation this session that would provide for regulation of bodyworks.

Many “bodyworks” and massage parlors across the country have provided or are suspected of providing sexual services. Some towns including Oxford have stepped up local licensing requirements at the behest of police. 

Interim Worcester Police Chief Paul B. Saucier said in a statement to the T&G that he would “support additional regulation of these establishments, whether it is done at the state or city level.”

Angies Bodyworks does not hold any licenses from the City of Worcester, a city spokesperson confirmed in an email earlier this month.

The website for Angies Bodyworks touts “experienced bodywork girls” and “friendly relaxing girls.”

“Great hands. Better legs,” reads one review from a “Thomas S” under a “testimonials" section of the website.

An account on X, formerly Twitter, that purports to represent the business, has two posts.

The first post, from 2020, features a suggestive photograph of a woman and reads, “Our #girls are very #beautiful, #young and #strong. They capable (sic) of giving you a really hard #deeptissue #bodywork if desired.”

Authorities have not released the name of the woman who was fatally shot inside Angies Bodyworks Thanksgiving. Police have said her family lives in China.

Marcel D. Santos-Padgett, a 31-year-old man from Leicester, was formally charged with murder in the shooting last week in Central District Court. He is being held without bail.

Prosecutors have said surveillance video captured Santos-Padgett entering the business around 2 a.m. Thanksgiving and entering a workroom with the victim.

“After about 30 minutes, you can hear what appears to be a gunshot,” Assistant District Attorney Terry McLaughlin said in court Dec 13. “You can then see the defendant leave the work area with a firearm with a laser sight attached to it.”

Upon further investigation, McLaughlin said, police found communications between the victim and the defendant about meeting up. The communications also showed the victim gave Santos-Padgett the spa's address.

Authorities have not accused the spa of any wrongdoing. The business has yet to return a request for comment from the T&G.

While the spa’s website lists the business as open, it has been listed as closed on Google for weeks and calls to its listed number rang to voicemail Tuesday morning.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Mass. agency investigating Angies Bodyworks Spa, Worcester murder site