North Dartmouth Man Sentenced to Life for Chelsea Murder of Girlfriend

BOSTON (WBSM) — A North Dartmouth man was sentenced to life in prison Monday after pleading guilty to the 2023 murder of his girlfriend.

North Dartmouth Man Pleads Guilty to Chelsea Killing

Angel Alvarez, 68, was sentenced to serve life in prison with the possibility of parole after 17 years. He had pleaded guilty on February 11 to second-degree murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and violation of a protection order.

Alvarez fatally stabbed Margarita Morehead, 59, in her Chelsea apartment in May of 2023.

READ MORE: North Dartmouth Man Accused of Fatally Stabbing Girlfriend in Her Chelsea Apartment

Get our free mobile app

The Relationship Between Angel Alvarez and Margarita Morehead

The two had dated for several years and Alvarez had lived with her at various times in the apartment. According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, “throughout their relationship, Alvarez exhibited jealousy and hostility toward Morehead and frequently accused her of infidelity.” She obtained a restraining order against him in October 2022.

North Dartmouth Man Pleads Guilty to Chelsea Killing

However, the two still remained in contact, and on the morning of May 8, 2023, Alvarez was in Morehead’s apartment when they began arguing over her attempts to end the relationship. He punched her twice in the face.

“(Alvarez) became enraged when (Morehead) said that her daughter, expected to visit later that morning, would see her injuries,” the D.A.’s Office said. “Alvarez then grabbed a large kitchen knife and stabbed Morehead multiple times in the chest. Alvarez cut two of his own fingers during the attack. Alvarez fled the apartment, leaving Morehead to bleed to death on the floor.”

A neighbor who heard Morehead’s screaming and saw Alvarez leave the apartment with a trail of blood behind him did not contact police. Instead, he attempted to make contact with Morehead twice in 40 minutes by knocking on her door, reportedly hearing breathing that was becoming faint. The neighbor’s partner then contacted Chelsea Police through a domestic violence hotline.

The officers arrived to find Morehead unresponsive with multiple stab wounds to her chest and back, and a kitchen knife next to her body. She was later pronounced deceased at a local hospital.

Police Track Alvarez Through Video and Evidence

Security footage showed Alvarez leaving the building and driving away. Police located his abandoned vehicle nearby, and found bloodstains both inside and outside of the vehicle.

“Throughout the day, Alvarez made efforts to evade police and dispose of evidence, including his bloody clothing and a cellphone,” the D.A.’s Office said. “Video from Target in Everett showed Alvarez purchasing new clothing and changing into it before leaving the store. In phone calls throughout the day, Alvarez told others that he had stabbed Morehead and that he was contemplating self-harm.”

Alvarez called police later that evening to turn himself in.

Victim’s Family Speaks During Sentencing Hearing

During today’s sentencing hearing, impact statements were presented by two of Morehead’s four children and her son’s partner. The D.A.’s Office provided audio of one of those impact statements.

“The statements in court (Monday) gave full expression to the great love Margarita Morehead had for her children and the great love they had for her. We’ll never know if Margarita’s life could have been saved if the neighbors had acted more quickly, but it’s clear that no one should wait to contact police if they have any reason to think that someone is a victim of violence,” D.A. Kevin Hayden said.