54-year-old man held without bail in connection to Freetown murder

FREETOWN, Mass. (WLNE) — A 54-year-old man was held without bail after his hearing Wednesday in connection to the brutal killing of a Freetown woman in her home.

Matthew Lucas appeared in Fall River Superior Court to face a murder charge in connection to the death of 44-year-old Heidi Chace early Wednesday morning.

Freetown police said Lucas lived with Chace in the home that was spit into two units.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said Freetown police were called to the home on Chace Road just before 4:30 a.m.

When officers arrived, they found Chace, who had sustained serious trauma to her face and head. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

The prosecutor said blood was observed throughout the residence, and investigators found a hammer that appeared to have blood and hair on it.

The prosecution further said that Chace and Lucas considered themselves to be a “married couple” despite not being legally married.

The neighbors of Chace and Lucas also told police that they had all been smoking cocaine the night before his arrest, according to prosecutors.

The neighbors also allegedly confronted him through the screen door after the attack. The prosecution said Lucas told them he’d killed Chace and that his “life was over.” He allegedly later fled the scene on foot.

Police said Lucas was later found hiding in a shed on Burns Lane, covered in blood. State and local police were able to locate him and arrested him shortly before 9 a.m.

Prosecutors further allege Lucas has a 24-page long criminal history that includes multiple restraining orders against several women.

Lucas’ defense says he suffers from ongoing schizophrenic episodes as well as substance use disorders.

Following his hearing, Lucas’ daughter told ABC 6 News that she feels Chace should’ve gotten away from him a long time ago, saying in part, “I know my dad had issues but I didn’t think he would kill somebody.”

Lucas is expected to return to court on Dec. 19.