Rehoboth, Massachusetts — A 26-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection to the death of a pregnant woman whose body was discovered following his alleged confession. The woman, identified as Junie Monteiro, was reported missing on August 7 and was approximately 11 weeks pregnant at the time of her death.
During a court hearing, prosecutors outlined details of the case, indicating that police informed the suspect, Gregory Groom, about a search warrant for his property while he was being interviewed. Reports revealed that Groom was ultimately led to sketch a rough map indicating the location where he claimed a confrontation took place behind a shed on his property. He admitted to stabbing Monteiro twice in the neck and once in the chest with a kitchen knife, breaking the blade in the process.
Authorities stated that Groom spent hours digging a shallow grave approximately five feet deep in the woods near the crime scene. After he allegedly buried Monteiro’s body, law enforcement located it later that same day, matching the details he provided.
Initial reports indicated that Groom had told police Monteiro simply “walked away” from his residence the night before they reported her missing, asserting that they had argued and she could no longer stay with him. However, evidence gathered from her sister suggested a darker narrative. Monteiro had texted her sister on August 6, alleging Groom had assaulted her, warning that if her battery died, she might not survive the encounter.
The investigation brought to light Groom’s statement that he and Monteiro had met in February at a local park and began a relationship that initially appeared promising. However, he described the relationship’s deterioration, claiming Monteiro became manipulative and dishonest. Groom allegedly expressed skepticism about her pregnancy until he reviewed medical documents, which led to a shift in his feelings.
Throughout the police interviews, Groom displayed signs of agitation and evasiveness. Initially reluctant to confess, he claimed that any physical altercations stemmed from misunderstandings, framing himself as the victim of miscommunication. He alleged that prior to the fatal incident, they had another disagreement, recalling a moment where he tried to take her phone, which escalated tensions.
Despite his claims, investigators noted inconsistencies in Groom’s statements, particularly when confronted with Monteiro’s allegations of violence against her. Following an extensive interview, he requested to consult with an attorney, leading to the end of the interrogation session.
A subsequent meeting with police occurred on August 11, during which Groom again provided an account of the altercation that allegedly led to Monteiro’s death. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, as authorities continue to piece together the details surrounding this tragic case.