The body that police discovered earlier this week at a Waterbury textile business has been identified as Perrie Mason, the 31-year-old mother who has been missing for days, Meriden police announced Friday.
Mason’s boyfriend, Jason Watson, had been arrested earlier this week on charges that he beat and strangled her just days before she went missing, and a prosecutor had called him a prime suspect in her disappearance.
Police searched in and around Bay State Textiles in Waterbury where they found Mason’s body. Detectives initially said it would take weeks to identify the body, but on Friday they said they had positively determined it was Mason.
Meriden detectives on Friday would say nothing about the investigation into her death, but said it is being investigated as a homicide. Police declined to say if police are seeking new charges against Watson.
“We’re not going to get into any specifics about the case itself,” Lt. John Mennone said. “Our major crimes division is still actively investigating the case and will be for some time to come.”
Mennone said Mason’s family is “extremely distraught” about news of her death.
“It is very important that we come to a successful conclusion in this,” Mennone said. “We want to make sure we do this investigation properly. We want to make sure we are respectful of their needs, as well. They’re very upset.”
Watson, 38, is currently jailed in lieu of $1 million bond on charges of assaulting Mason. Authorities said Watson has a long criminal history dating back to 2000, including convictions in domestic violence cases and for sexual assault.
Mennone on Friday would not discuss why Watson’s bond had been set so high, saying, “I’m not going to get into any detail about Mr. Watson’s charges and why his bond is what it is.”
Watson is charged with second-degree strangulation, third-degree assault, first-degree unlawful restraint, and disorderly conduct in connection with a domestic violence case involving Mason.
Mason’s two children were put in the custody of the state Department of Children and Families after Watson was arrested this week. Mennone said Mason’s family is working with DCF to make long-term plans for them.
