WORCESTER—Thomas Bergstrom, 42, of Worcester, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2019 killing of Jennifer Vazquez-Rivera, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.
Bergstrom was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years, following a recommendation from the Commonwealth. Worcester Superior Court Judge William Ritter denied the defense’s request for a 22-year parole eligibility period.
Vazquez-Rivera’s family supported the plea agreement, which spared her two minor children from having to testify during a trial.
On October 2, 2019, Vazquez-Rivera was found stabbed in her Lapierre Street apartment and later pronounced dead at the hospital. Witness statements and cell phone evidence linked Bergstrom to the crime.
Bergstrom turned himself in to police two days later and has remained in custody since.
“We know nothing can bring Jennifer back, but we hope today’s plea brings some measure of justice to her family,” said Early in a statement.
Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
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