Massachusetts authorities announced late Friday night that they have apprehended a Medford man who allegedly violently attacked and sexually assaulted a woman while she was walking on a trail at the Middlesex Fells Reservation earlier in the day.
Brady McCue, 28, was arrested in connection with the sexual assault and assault and battery of a 48-year-old woman that occurred early Friday morning near South Border Road on the Medford/Winchester line, according to a joint statement from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Massachusetts State Police Colonel Christopher Mason and Winchester Chief of Police Daniel O’Connell.
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Authorities allege the victim, who was not known to McCue, was walking in the area of the Leslie Road Trail Head around 8 a.m. when she was randomly attacked and assaulted by McCue.
According to a preliminary investigation, McCue allegedly struck the woman with a rock multiple times before sexually assaulting her and then fleeing the scene, authorities said.
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The victim is being treated for serious injuries at a Boston hospital, police said. She is in stable condition.
Evidence collected from the scene allowed investigators from the Massachusetts State Police and Winchester Police Department to quickly identify McCue as the alleged attacker. He was located at his residence and arrested without incident, authorities said.
McCue is facing several charges in connection to the attack, including armed assault to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, kidnapping and four counts of aggravated rape. He is expected to be arraigned Monday in Somerville District Court. It's unclear if he's obtained an attorney who can speak on his behalf.
Police initially said the attack occurred in Winchester but learned through their subsequent investigation that it had occurred in Medford near the town line.
Neighbor Fatih Guler lives across from the trail and saw police on scene Friday morning.
“One police car and then a fire truck, and I thought someone got injured,” Guler said.
“To just think someone would be out here is just shocking, maybe stalking someone I really don’t know what to say,” said Charlie Tillett, a runner, who frequents the trails often.
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The state reservation borders several towns, and includes thousands of acres of woods, and 100 miles of mixed use trails.
It’s open from dawn to dusk, and some say it can be secluded at times.
“I’ll come out here and do an eight-mile loop, and often see one or two people, on a two-hour loop,” Tillett said.
“Every time I go hiking with my dog I come prepared. I have a whistle, a Swiss knife with me, I have stuff in my bag," said Teti Kouroukouni, a hiker. "It can be really scary when you’re walking by yourself sometimes. It’s good to be with two people or a group together, especially for women."
The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating this case. Winchester and Medford police are also assisting.
