Maynard Town Treasurer Killed In Wayland Murder-Suicide

WAYLAND, MA — The 68-year-old Wayland woman killed Monday in a murder-suicide is being remembered for her contributions to the community as the Maynard town treasurer and a former elected official in Wayland.

Cheryl Kane was killed Monday afternoon in her Adelaide Avenue home, authorities said. Her son, Richard Kane Jr., 41, of Natick, shot her as she got of her car in the home's garage just before 5 p.m., according to the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office. Kane then shot and killed himself, authorities said.

Neighbors near Kane's home near Lake Cochituate heard the shots, but police were not alerted to the deaths until another member of the family called 911 near 8 p.m., authorities said.

Neither Wayland police nor the district attorney identified a possible motivation for the killing.

Kane, her son and other members of her family were linked by the Natick kitchen design firm KI3 Design. Richard Kane Jr. and his brother are listed as partners and designers on the company's website. Cheryl Kane is listed as the treasurer and secretary of the business, according to state records.

Kane's main job was as the treasurer and tax collector in Maynard. Town Administrator Greg Johnson and the Board of Selectmen released a joint statement about Kane's death Tuesday afternoon.

"Cheryl was a wonderful, bright member of our team," the statement said. "She was a tremendous asset to our community, and we’re grateful for the contributions she made during her time with us.

"Her passing comes as a shock to us all. Our hearts go out to her family and friends during this very difficult time."

Kane had worked for the town since 2012, officials said.

Democratic state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, whose district covers Maynard and parts of Sudbury, also made a statement about Kane's death.

"My thoughts go out to everyone at Maynard Town Hall, and the loved ones and friends of Cheryl," he wrote in a Facebook post.

Cheryl Kane had deep roots in Wayland. She served as the founding treasurer of the Wayland Hockey Association, according to state records. In 2015, she was elected to a term on the Wayland Board of Assessors along with Zachariah Ventress, who now chairs that board. Kane resigned in 2017 before the end of her term in 2018, according to town records.

Violence is rare in Wayland. The town's last murder occurred in 2011, when Nathaniel Fujita stabbed and strangled his then-girlfriend, Lauren Astley. Fujita was found guilty of murder in March 2013 and sentenced to life in prison.