HOLYOKE — Police have arrested a 21-year-old Holyoke man on a murder charge in connection with the body of an 18-year-old found in the Connecticut River with an apparent gunshot wound.
Elijah Melendez was arraigned Monday in Holyoke District Court on a murder charge in connection with the alleged slaying of Elis Vizzcarrondo, 18, of Holyoke. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without the right to bail.
On the morning of July 3, police officers in Chicopee discovered a dead body — later identified as Vizzcarrondo, who was reported missing in Holyoke — in the river near Catherine Street.
In a statement, the Hampden District Attorney’s office said that detectives from Holyoke, Chicopee and the state police determined that Vizzcarrondo was likely killed “in a residence in the 100 block of Clemente Street in Holyoke.” They soon obtained information leading to an arrest warrant for Melendez, who they arrested on July 14.
The investigation into the alleged murder is ongoing, the DA’s office said. Melendez’s next court date is Aug. 22.
Dusty Christensen can be reached at dchristensen@gazettenet.com.