Worcester man facing murder charges in death of 29-year-old man — Police car - File photo

WORCESTER, MA – The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office has announced the indictment of 25-year-old Jose Ortiz Maldonado for the murder of 29-year-old Darilton Matias, which occurred in November 2023. The incident took place on Grand Street in Worcester, leading to a wide-ranging indictment that includes charges beyond murder.

Maldonado faces several severe charges, including kidnapping, strangulation, two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a family or household member, possession of a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling.

The tragic event unfolded on November 5, 2023, at approximately 1:18 a.m., when Worcester Police were dispatched to Grand Street following reports of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers discovered Matias with a gunshot wound. Despite immediate medical aid provided at the scene and subsequent transport to a local hospital, Matias was pronounced dead.

Maldonado was arrested on November 8, following the incident, and was arraigned in Worcester Central District Court on related charges. He was deemed dangerous and held for 120 days, the maximum detention period allowed under Massachusetts law, before being set a $50,000 cash bail. He remains in custody.

This case continues to develop, and further legal proceedings are expected as the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office progresses with the prosecution.

Shore News Network Staff Report Latest posts

Shore News Network Staff Report is the official newsroom byline used by Shore News Network when a story is produced through the collaborative work of multiple members of the editorial team rather than a single reporter.

This newsroom account is reserved for articles that involve contributions from multiple journalists, editors, photographers, researchers, or news desk staff. It is also used for developing stories that are updated as new verified information becomes available, as well as for community announcements, weather coverage, public safety alerts, election results, and other newsroom-produced content.

Every article published under the Shore News Network Staff Report byline is reviewed and edited in accordance with the organization's editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, attribution, and transparency. Information is verified through official government agencies, court records, law enforcement, public documents, direct reporting, interviews, and other reliable primary and secondary sources before publication whenever possible.

The Staff Report account does not use artificial intelligence to independently generate news or publish unverified information. AI-assisted tools may occasionally be used for editorial support tasks such as transcription, formatting, grammar review, or workflow efficiency, but all published content is subject to human editorial oversight and approval by Shore News Network's newsroom staff.

As an independently owned digital news organization, Shore News Network is committed to original reporting, public safety journalism, government accountability, local community coverage, and breaking news throughout New Jersey and surrounding regions. Stories published under the Staff Report byline reflect the collective experience and editorial judgment of the Shore News Network newsroom.

Readers who have corrections, additional information, or news tips related to a Staff Report article are encouraged to contact the newsroom at news@shorenewsnetwork.com. Shore News Network welcomes factual corrections and updates as part of its commitment to accurate, transparent journalism.