DA: Spencer man murdered his stepfather

SPENCER, Mass. (WHDH) -- A Spencer man has been arrested, accused of killing his 88-year-old stepfather.

The victim’s wife found his body wrapped in plastic in a crawlspace under their home around 11:30 Wednesday morning. Jason Masiello, their 37-year-old son who lives with them has been charged with the victim’s murder.

“The body of Michael Iagallo -- 88 years old -- was found in a crawlspace beneath the home. His body was covered in plastic and what also appeared to be a blanket,” said Joseph D. Early Jr., Worcester County district attorney.

A state police trooper on Pine Acres Road kept everyone a good distance from the scene while police spent much of the day investigating.

The murder investigation has left neighbors heartbroken in the tight-knit community.

Neighbors say the couple are retirees and are the nicest people.

They say they knew the victim's stepson was trouble; he served time in 1995, police say, for assault and battery and was arrested again in 2010 for firing off a shotgun from the home.

Police arrested the suspect at the scene.

“Three Spencer police officers arrived on the scene. They identified Mr. Masiello, asked him to come out. He was arrested, ordered to the ground, was handcuffed and arrested at that point,” District Attorney Early said.

The suspect is due in court Thursday morning.

An autopsy on the victim is also scheduled for Thursday.