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Off-duty Boston firefighter fatally stabbed, wife charged with murder

Boston Firefighter Michael Ricci, 51, a 23-year department veteran, was found with multiple stab wounds at his home on Thursday

michael ricci boston firefighter murder stabbing

Photo/Boston Fire Fighters Local 718 IAFF

By Laura French

BOSTON — An off-duty Boston firefighter was stabbed at his home on Thursday, and his wife has been charged with murder.

Police responded to a call about a medical emergency at the home of Firefighter Michael Ricci, 51, on Thursday afternoon and found Ricci with multiple stab wounds, according to the Associated Press. Ricci was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Ricci’s wife, Christine Ricci, 46, was arrested and charged with murder in her husband’s death. An arraignment for Christine Ricci was delayed on Friday after the defendant collapsed in court and was taken to the hospital. The arraignment was scheduled to resume on Monday.

A police report states that Christine Ricci claimed she grabbed a knife to try to scare her husband because she thought he was having a manic episode, according to the Associated Press. The defendant claimed her husband had lunged at her. The police report also states that there was a history of physical and verbal abuse at the home.

Michael Ricci was a 23-year veteran of the Boston Fire Department, officials said.

“The members of Boston Fire Fighters Local 718 are saddened to learn of the tragic death of Brother Michael Ricci, Aide to District 9,” union officials wrote in a statement on Friday. The union said it is assisting Ricci’s family and finalizing procedures to utilize the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts Charitable Foundation to collect donations.

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