January 22, 2020 -Holyoke- On Friday, January 10, 2020 members of the Holyoke Police Department responded to the area of 605 South Bridge Street for a report of an unresponsive male who appeared to have suffered a fatal gunshot wound. He was previously been identified as Mr. Jesus Otero Marrero, 21, of Holyoke.

Detectives from the Holyoke Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office along with the Hampden District Attorney’s Office Murder Unit immediately initiated a homicide investigation.

Arrested on Friday, January 17, 2020, in connection with this investigation was Brian Rivera-Vazquez, 29, of Holyoke. He was taken into custody after being located by law enforcement in the area of the Bronx, in New York City. He waived his right to an extradition hearing and was returned to Massachusetts this afternoon, where he is now charged with one count of Murder.

He was transported to the Holyoke Police Department where he was booked; he will be arraigned tomorrow in Holyoke District Court.    

Assisting the Holyoke Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office in locating and apprehending the suspect were the: Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, F.B.I., U.S. Secret Service, and New York City Police Department.   

Already arrested in connection with this case; Merkin Andrade, 30, of Holyoke. He has been taken into custody and charged with, Misleading a Police Investigation and Accessory to Murder. He was arraigned in Holyoke District Court; bail was set at $5,000 on the first charge and $100,000, on the accessory to murder charge. His next court date is on February 13, 2020. 

Jean Carlos Rivera, 30, of Holyoke has been taken into custody and charged with Murder by the Holyoke Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office. He was arraigned in Holyoke District Court on January 14, 2020 and is currently being held without the right to bail. His next scheduled court date is on February 14, 2020.

This is an on-going investigation being conducted by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, the Holyoke Police Department and the Hampden District Attorney’s Office’s Murder Unit.