Massachusetts

‘I Was Kind of Numb': Mother of Woman Found Dead in Worcester Speaks

Joseph Dalrymple, 33, is charged with strangulation or suffocation in connection with the death of Marlene Bleau

What to Know

  • Joseph Dalrymple, 33, of Shrewsbury, was arrested Thursday in connection with the death of 38-year-old Marlene Bleau
  • Bleau was found face down shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday in Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester
  • Her death was originally believed to have been an accidental drowning but is now considered suspicious

The man charged in connection with a Massachusetts woman’s death that was originally believed to have been an accidental drowning was ordered held without bail at his arraignment Friday.

Joseph Dalrymple, 33, of Shrewsbury, was arrested Thursday for the suspicious death of 38-year-old Marlene Bleau of Worcester. Bleau was found face down shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday in Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester.

Bleau's cause of death has yet to be determined. However, Dalrymple has been charged with strangulation or suffocation. The relationship between the suspect and Bleau is unclear.

Prosecutors said Dalrymple was seen on surveillance video with Bleau Friday night and several witnesses identified him as the man she was with.

"He made several admissions including the fact that he had been with the victim in this case late in the evening the night before she was found deceased and information relating to having sexual intercourse with the victim, said Assistant District Attorney John Malander.

Deborah Christensen, Bleau's mother, spoke with NBC10 Boston after Friday's arraignment in Worcester District Court. She said she and her daughter didn't always see eye-to-eye, but she loved her very much.

"I was kind of numb when I first found out when we thought she had drowned," she said. "Then I went to being sad when we made the funeral arrangements. And then I'm just - excuse my French - pissed."

She said her daughter had been going through a rough time of late, but didn't want to get into specifics.

Court documents show that this isn't Dalrymple's first run-in with the law. He was charged with assault and battery in 2010 in connection with an incident involving his girlfriend of over three years. Those charges were later dismissed.

Dalrymple’s close friend and former neighbor, Michael Greenwich, says Dalrymple is a father to a young boy and confirmed he’s only had minor run-ins with the law in the past.

"You know getting in trouble, beating up people and stuff like that, but other than that he’s a good kid, he’s a real good kid, he just happened, you know, you get mixed up with the wrong crowd and you end up doing the wrong things," Greenwich said.

"If he took her life and it's proven that he took her life, they should take the rest of his, because she isn't going to get to live the rest of hers," Christensen said.

Dalrymple is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 8. Information about his attorney was not immediately available.

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