Prosecutors: Kylee Monteiro’s boyfriend confessed to stabbing teen to death, burying body on property

TAUNTON, Mass. (WLNE) — The suspect in the murder of 18-year-old Kylee Monteiro faced a judge Wednesday morning, after the prosecuting attorney said 22-year-old Gregory Groom confessed to police.

His court appearance came one day after what the Bristol County District Attorney said were believed to be Monteiro’s remains were found in Groom’s backyard in Rehoboth.

Prosecutors said Groom told police he stabbed Monteiro to death behind his shed and buried her in the woods nearby.

According to the prosecutor, Groom told the Rehoboth Police Department during a Tuesday interview that Monteiro arrived at his County Street home on Aug. 6.

Groom told police Monteiro had taken a ride-sharing service from a residential program to his house, according to the prosecution, which said he told detectives she was there looking to stay with him as she was 11 weeks pregnant with his child.

Prosecutors said Groom told police that he and Monteiro then had a fight over whether she could stay at his house, and told detectives she then walked up the driveway and disappeared.

Monteiro was reported missing on Aug. 7.

But upon further investigation, the district attorney said detectives uncovered text messages sent that night from Monteiro to her sister, saying she had been attacked by Groom.

According to the prosecution, Monteiro told her sister her phone was dying, and they said the last message she sent read: “If I die it was Greg.”

Police told Groom that they had obtained an “extensive” search warrant for his 25-acre property on County Street.

This followed another search of the property, which yielded no results, and the search for Monteiro continued as she had failed to make contact with friends or family.

Police informed Groom that the next search would include dogs, excavators, state chemists and other investigators and equipment.

At this time, according to the prosecution, Groom paused and was given an opportunity to tell police where Monteiro’s body was located.

Prosecutors said Groom then drew a map showing where on the property the incident occurred.

He confessed to police, according to the prosecuting attorney, that he and Monteiro had gotten into the fight behind a shed on the property.

The prosecutor said Groom told police that he stabbed Monteiro twice in the neck and once in the chest with a kitchen knife, killing her.

The attack was so fierce, according to the prosecution, the knife Groom allegedly used snapped in Monteiro’s chest.

Groom told police he spent all night digging a hole into the early hours of the morning, pushing her in and covering her just as the sun was coming up, according to prosecutors.

Based on a map drawn by Groom, the prosecution said detectives were able to uncover the spot in the woods where Monteiro was buried, which was covered up with brush and trees.

A body consistent with Kylee Monteiro was discovered in the five-foot hole, according to the prosecuting attorney, who said the knife was also inside.

The body is currently with the chief medical examiner for identification and an autopsy.

The prosecution requested that Groom be held without bail, which was granted, and probable cause hearing will be held on Sept. 10.

The family told ABC6 a vigil for Monteiro still will be held Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Redway Plain off Route 44 in Rehoboth.