Families allege shoddy security
File suit in Southie condo murders
The high-end Southie condominium building where two doctors were murdered in May provided an alleged flimsy “veneer” of security for its tenants, allowing the brutal stabbing deaths to occur, according to a wrongful death suit filed by the victims’ families.
“Despite the appearance of operating a secure property, in fact, the defendants provided virtually no security for its residents whatsoever,” attorneys for the families of 38-year-old Dr. Lina Bolanos and 49-year-old Dr. Richard Field wrote in a complaint filed yesterday.
Police found the bodies of Bolanos and Field on May 5 in the luxurious Macallen Building after responding to a 911 call. Bampumim Teixeira, 30, has been charged with their murders, and prosecutors say he bound and stabbed the couple while they were in their penthouse apartment.
Teixeira was once employed by Palladion Services LLC, the company that formerly provided security for the South Boston luxury condo building. He was arrested in April 2016 for bank robbery and was eventually sentenced to more than a year in jail. Roughly a month after Teixeira was released, prosecutors say he returned to the building and killed Field and Bolanos.
“Because of his training with Palladion, Teixeira was fully familiar with the layout of the building, and was also aware that there was virtually no meaningful security for the residents,” the lawsuit, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, states.
The suit claims that Palladion never informed Highbridge Concierge, the building’s new security company, nor anyone else, about Teixeira’s past.
“After Palladion learned that Teixeira was a bank robber, it had a duty to take steps to ensure that the security protocols were reasonable, that all defendants in this action were informed of Mr. Teixeira’s arrest, and that the building was reasonably safe for its residents,” the lawsuit states.
In a statement, a Palladion spokeswoman said the company was not notified about the lawsuit and that “we do not comment on pending litigation.”
The Court Square Press Building Condominium Trust — which owns the building — said through its attorney last night the timing of the suit is “very unfortunate” while the criminal case is still pending.
“As has been previously noted — including by the Boston police — the building has a long record of being a safe and secure home for nearly 300 families,” Lowell attorney Michael Gallagher said in a statement.
“Further, as early press reports indicated, these horrible actions by the criminal defendant — who appears to have been motivated by retribution — were clearly premeditated.”
Robert Pierce, one of the attorneys who brought the suit, called the situation “a tragedy, and the family wants them to be remembered for all the great things they did in their lives, not with how they were killed.”
The suit also names Bayberry Management company, which manages the building, and Highbridge Concierge in the suit. Representatives from Bayberry and Highbridge did not respond to requests for comment.
The suit points out a number of alleged soft spots in the building’s security system. It says anyone can walk into the garage, and that a solitary security employee has the responsibility to watch that camera feed from the front desk.
According to prosecutors, Teixeira was able to slip into the building’s garage, carrying a backpack with a mask, two fake guns, tape and a knife.
The suit seeks “all damages available” under the state’s wrongful death statute, punitive damages and other costs.