BOSTON, Dec. 29, 2016—The death of an East Boston teen whose body was found at the Belle Isle Marsh Reservation earlier this month is being investigated as a homicide, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said today.

The body of Carlos Villatoro-Nunez, 16, was found in the area of the Bennington Street entrance on Dec. 9, almost a month after his family reported him missing. Though decomposition and other factors initially complicated the death investigation, authorities believe he sustained fatal stab wounds.

Because the area is State property maintained by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding the death is being led by State Police detectives assigned to Conley’s office; they were assisted at the scene by the Crime Scene Services Section and other State Police assets, and are sharing information with the Boston Police Homicide Unit.

Investigators do not believe Villatoro-Nunez’ death was random. They urge anyone with information on it to come forward, and remind potential tipsters that Suffolk County makes extensive use of the state’s Witness Protection Program to keep witnesses and their families safe.

Anyone with knowledge of Villatoro-Nunez’ death or the circumstances surrounding it is asked to contact the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit at 617-727-8817.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.