Lawrence man charged with murder in neighbor’s death

LAWRENCE — A Lawrence man is now charged with murder in the death of his neighbor, Carol Flaz-Burgos, 37.

Cristian Montero, 35, was arrested last week and accused of intimidating witnesses and misleading investigators after Flaz-Burgos’ death. Montero will now be charged with murder on Wednesday.

Flaz-Burgos was reported missing on Saturday, Aug. 31, after she was last seen near her home on Broadway Street in Lawrence. She was found dead in Haverhill four days later.

Investigators say surveillance video shows the mother of two entering Montero’s apartment on Aug. 31. Montero and Flaz-Burgos lived two doors apart in the Arlington Point apartment complex.

Surveillance video shows Flaz-Burgos texting and then making the sign of the cross before entering the apartment.

Montero then left with a cart that appeared to be filled with clothing, investigators said. At the same time, Flaz-Burgos’ phone was being driven to Haverhill, where her body was found.

Montero is charged with murder based on the results of a medical examiner’s autopsy. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Lawrence County District Court on Wednesday at 2 p.m.