Hinsdale man allegedly kills estranged girlfriend

Posted Friday, April 13, 2018 5:54 pm

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HINSDALE — A Hinsdale man is in custody after allegedly killing his estranged girlfriend early Friday.

Michael S. Boulais, 32, will be charged with murder in the death of Kassedi Clark, 24, whose body was found by police inside a vehicle at 53 Ashmere Drive, according to a news release by acting Berkshire District Attorney Paul Caccaviello.

Officers responded to that address after receiving a 911 call about 8:30 a.m. reporting a possible shooting. Case workers from the Department of Children & Families were contacted to provide assistance to children who lived at that address. It was not clear how many children were present, or whether they were related to Boulais or Clark.

Clark was a student in Berkshire Community College's nursing program.

Christina Wynn, dean of enrollment management at the college, said the school was made aware of Clark's death Friday.

"We are very deeply heartbroken and shocked by the news," she said.

Wynn said grief counseling will be available at BCC for those who feel they need it.

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"We are very much a family here," she said.

An autopsy is expected to be conducted Sunday at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Holyoke.

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Boulais is being held without the right to bail, pending his arraignment Tuesday in Central Berkshire District Court.

The shooting is believed to be an isolated incident and there does not appear to be any threat to the general public, according to the release.

No further details about the incident were available.

Ashmere Drive was blocked off by investigators, who restricted access to the area. Members of the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force, Massachusetts State Police and Hindsdale Police remained at the scene Friday afternoon.

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Laurie Casna, superintendent of the Central Berkshire Regional School District, which includes Hinsdale, sent a notice to families on Friday.

"There was not a safety concern to any of the CBRSD Schools or to the residents of the town," the letter read. "However, given this incident took place in Hinsdale we are bringing it to your attention to make sure you have accurate information."

The notice included links to resources for talking with children about traumatic events.

"If you or your children are in need of additional resources or supports please contact your children's building or the Superintendent's Office directly," the notice reads.

The investigation is being conducted by state troopers assigned to the District Attorney's Office, members of the Hinsdale and Dalton police departments, the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office, state troopers assigned to the Cheshire barracks, the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services and Ballistics Sections and forensic scientists assigned to the state police crime laboratory.

Bob Dunn can be reached at bdunn@berkshireeagle.com, at @BobDunn413 on Twitter and 413-496-6249.