Arrest Made in Chelsea Homicide Investigation

Chelsea residents received an important update last week in a homicide investigation that has weighed heavily on the community since March. Chelsea Police announced that a 17-year-old male juvenile was arrested on June 25, 2026, in connection with the death of Eduardo Lopez, identified by NBC10 Boston as Eduardo Rózales López, a 25-year-old Chelsea resident. The arrest was made at about 6 p.m. by Chelsea Police detectives and Massachusetts State Police detectives on a murder warrant issued out of Suffolk Superior Court.

The case began on March 19, 2026, when police responded to a stabbing near the intersection of Chestnut Street and Everett Avenue. NBC10 Boston reported that López suffered stab wounds to his neck and torso, was treated at the scene, and was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Chelsea Police described the June arrest as the result of an ongoing investigation into the Eduardo Lopez homicide. In the department’s June 25 statement, Police Chief Keith Houghton said that while an arrest cannot replace the loss felt by the family, he hoped the development could provide “further closure.” He also framed the arrest as a message to residents that police would continue pursuing those responsible for violent offenses, even when investigations take time.

The investigation had already led to an earlier murder charge. NBC10 Boston reported in March that 18-year-old Sergio Josué Castellanos was held without bail after being arraigned in connection with the stabbing. Prosecutors said surveillance video showed multiple people chasing López, and described one person identified as Castellanos making a stabbing motion while López was on the ground. A defense attorney raised questions in court about identification and noted that no knife was visible in the video described by prosecutors.

Other local coverage has reported additional developments in the case, including Boston 25 News reporting that the newly arrested 17-year-old was expected to face a judge in connection with the March stabbing, and that other defendants had also been charged and pleaded not guilty. Because the Chelsea Police release did not name the juvenile, and because reporting on names and spellings varies across outlets, this article refers to the latest person arrested as a 17-year-old juvenile.

For many residents, the case is not just a court update. It is a painful reminder of violence in a busy Chelsea neighborhood, near streets that many people use for work, errands, transit, and daily life. WCVB reported in March that the large police response shocked nearby residents, and one neighbor described the incident as deeply upsetting for the community.

As the legal process continues, it is important to remember that charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. At the same time, the loss of Eduardo Rózales López remains real for his family, friends, and neighbors. NBC10 Boston reported that family members said López came from Guatemala seven years ago and left behind a young child.

Chelsea Police are still asking anyone with information to contact the department at 617-466-4800 or submit an anonymous tip through the department’s tip line at 617-466-4880. Police said tips can also be submitted through the department’s social media platforms or website.