Worcester County DA says authorities seek leads in Milford man's 2012 fatal stabbing

MILFORD — Twelve years after a local man was found stabbed to death inside his apartment on Main Street, authorities are reminding the public that they haven't given up on solving the crime.

No one has ever been charged in the July 8, 2012, death of Jose Mendes , 45.

The Worcester County District Attorney's Office has issued a statement about the slaying, asking those with information about the case to come forward.

"Today, we remember the unresolved case of Jose Mendes. We ask the public if they have information to please reach out," Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early said in a statement. "It's never too late to pass on information that may help."

'Pretty tough scene': Milford man. 45, found dead inside apartment

Mendes' body was found by an acquaintance on the morning of July 8, 2012. The man walked into the Milford Police Department and said he had discovered Mendes dead inside his apartment at 322 Main St. The man said he believed Mendes, a known drug user, may have died of an overdose.

Medical examiner said victim died of 'sharp wounds of the neck'

But the man was mistaken, according to Thomas O'Loughlin, who was Milford's police chief at the time.

"We didn't realize until the body was turned over," said O'Loughlin, now a member of the Milford Select Board . "He was face down; his body covered the blood. The crime scene techs came out and showed us photos and said we had a homicide."

The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide, saying Mendes died of "sharp wounds of the neck."

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Early, at the time, said law enforcement officials were familiar with Mendes, but declined to elaborate.

“It’s a pretty tough scene,” he said at the time. “I can’t really say anything more than that.”

The death occurred in a two-and-a-half story apartment building. Residents in the area told the Telegram & Gazette that the area was known for heavy drug use. One resident described the area as "tough."

O'Loughlin said there's "no question," the murder was drug-related. "It appeared to be a rip (robbery)," he said.

O'Loughlin said whoever committed the slaying went there to steal drugs, likely heroin. They appeared to have beaten Mendes with a walking stick prior to stabbing him to death.

Victim's nephew said his uncle 'was trying to figure out life'

Milford resident Augusto Mendes, Jose's nephew, said he's surprised no one has been arrested after 12 years. He said he knew his uncle, a New Bedford High School graduate who worked as a house painter, had problems, but he didn't deserve what happened.

"He was a good guy — he was trying to figure out life and things like that," Augusto Mendes said. "He was trying to get his life in order. I really wish I had a chance to know him better."

Current Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino said that although Mendes' case is old, investigators have not forgotten about it and hope they can solve it.

"We're definitely going to be revisiting this," Tusino said. "Hopefully we can get something going on this."

Anyone with information is asked to call Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney's Office at 508-453-7589 or email WorcesterDAunresolved@mass.gov.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on The Milford Daily News: Worcester County DA says authorities seek leads in Milford man's 2012 fatal stabbing