LOWELL, Massachusetts – A 24-year-old man from Lowell, Massachusetts, has been indicted for the murder of his mother, who was fatally beaten in July. Elena Vainer, 51, from Reading, was visiting her son’s condo on Middlesex Street when she was believed to have been severely beaten. The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Lowell police reported that Michael Belous was arrested after his mother was found on July 17, 2023.
According to prosecutors, Vainer suffered severe injuries to her head, face, arm, and neck when police found her at the home on Middlesex Street. Belous was also found to have injuries on his hands. Surveillance footage from the home showed that Vainer and Belous were the only ones present at the time of the incident. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Vainer’s cause of death was blunt force trauma and mechanical asphyxia.
Belous initially faced charges of assault and battery on a household or family member and assault and battery causing serious bodily injury. He has been in custody since his arraignment on those charges on July 17. His next court date was scheduled for January 23, where he faced the upgraded charges in Middlesex Superior Court.
The case is a tragic reminder of the prevalence of domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org, or texting LOVEIS to 22522. It’s important to seek help and support in such situations.