Dartmouth man pleads guilty in 2024 New Bedford murder case
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — A Dartmouth man will spend at least 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of Kerri Fidalgo Tuesday.
32-year-old Tyler Baglini pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the case.
Baglini stabbed then 31-year-old Fidalgo to death in a home on Atlantic Street on Sept. 20, 2024.
Prosecutors shared additional details of the case with the judge on Tuesday.
They said Baglini initially went to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford on the day of the murder with a bloody knife in his hand, claiming a serial killer had stabbed his girlfriend at her home.
Police responded to the area and found Fidalgo had sustained multiple stab wounds.
She was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Prosecutors said Fidalgo and Baglini had exchanged text messages the morning of the murder, with Fidalgo indicating concern for Baglini’s mental health, suggesting he get evaluated by a medical professional.
Later in the day, prosecutors said Baglini called Fidalgo to indicate he was checking into St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment, but did not, and eventually went back to her home where the stabbing occurred.
Baglini told the judge the facts prosecutors laid out were correct, and cried as he admitted to stabbing and killing Fidalgo.
Baglini told the judge he is being treated for a number of mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder.
Tyler Baglini appears in court on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 (WLNE via Pool).
Fidalgo worked as a probation case specialist at New Bedford District Court.
Her mother and three sisters addressed the court during the sentencing hearing.
Fidalgo’s older sister described her as someone who always saw the good in people, and as a doting aunt who never missed a dance recital, school concert, or birthday party for her niece and nephew.
Another sister, Jacquelyn Fidalgo, described the outpouring of community support at Kerri Fidalgo’s services.
“Never in a million years would Kerri have ever imagined the turnout to say goodbye to her,” Jacquelyn Fidalgo said. “There was a line down the city block and that line grew for hours because Kerri was so special.”
Judge Raffi Yessian called Baglini a “batterer” and a “domestic abuser,” citing his past criminal record.
Prosecutors and Baglini’s defense attorney agreed to a life sentence with the possibility of parole in 25 years in exchange for the guilty plea.
Kerri Fidalgo was honored last month by her colleagues, friends, and family with a walk and tree planting at New Bedford District Court.
Teal-colored carnations at the base of a Shad tree planted in memory of Kerry Fidalgo at the New Bedford District Court.
Participants in the walk were given teal carnations to place at the base of the tree.
Teal was Fidalgo’s favorite color.
A court spokesperson said a group of 100 people completed a 2.4 mile walk to her home, held a moment of silence, and walked back to the court for the tree planting ceremony.
