Death of Jessica Dana of Huntington ruled a homicide

HUNTINGTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Thirty year-old Jessica Dana of Huntington’s death was a homicide, the state medical examiner confirmed Tuesday morning.

According to Mary Carey of the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office , the body found wrapped in a tarp inside a cardboard box behind Dana’s Rocky Brook Drive home has officially been confirmed as hers.

The Chief Medical Examiner determined that the manner of death was indeed a homicide, though no additional details about her killing have been released.

Dana’s longtime boyfriend, Jeb Daly, 36, is currently facing charges of improper disposal of a body and misleading authorities. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Northampton District Court Monday, and is being held at the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction. It is unclear at this time on whether he will face any additional charges.

The case remains under investigation by state police assigned to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office.

Neighbor Shaun Francis told 22News that the two seemed like a nice couple.

"I thought that he was a good person and I'm just really shocked. She was such a nice person," Francis said.

Carey says that members of the public should not be concerned for their safety.