Man Indicted In Killing Of Braintree School Nurse

BRAINTREE, MA — A Marshfield man was indicted by a Norfolk County grand jury after prosecutors said he dressed up as a UPS driver and fatally shot a longtime Braintree school nurse outside her home.

Robert Bonang, 61, was charged with murder, two counts of possession of a large capacity weapon, carrying an unlicensed firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. Bonang pleaded not guilty to the charges in Quincy District Court and was ordered held without bail.

Prosecutors said Bonang shot and killed Laurie Melchionda, 59, a member of the Braintree Board of Health and former school nurse in town. She also was the director of health services for Weston Public Schools. Prosecutors said Bonang was Melchionda's former neighbor.

On June 17, police were called to Melchionda's home on Howie Road and found her suffering from several gunshot wounds, prosecutors said. Melchionda was taken to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth and was pronounced dead.

A witness told police she saw Bonang dressed as a UPS delivery deliver and holding a box in front of Melchionda's home, prosecutors said. Assistant District Attorney Greg Connor said there was a rifle in the box.

"At the opposite end of the box, [a hole] allowed someone to place their hand inside the box to manipulate the trigger," Connor said.

Police found Bonang outside the home and arrested him. Prosecutors said police seized a rifle and a .22-caliber handgun.

Bonang was scheduled to return to Quincy District Court Friday for a probable cause hearing, but the date is likely to change following the arraignment. No arraignment date has been scheduled yet in Norfolk Superior Court.