Stoughton Murder Suspect Charged with Killing Ex-Wife

The man arrested for killing his estranged wife in her Stoughton home was arraigned in Stoughton District Court Monday afternoon, charged with murder.

Willie Foster, 47, of Dorchester, was taken into custody by Boston Police Monday morning in Mattapan. He is charged with killing Anita Clark, 46, who was found dead at her 76 Glen Echo Blvd. home in Stoughton Saturday evening. 

Foster, who appeared in court wearing a Boston Red Sox pullover, pled not guilty to the murder charge.

He will be held without bail until a June 7 probable cause hearing.

During the arraignment, Lynn Beland, Assistant District Attorney for the office of Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey, said police were called to Clark's Glen Echo home Saturday evening to perform a well-being check. 

Upon arrival they sensed a strong odor in the house, she said. Clark was found in the closet of an upstairs bedroom.

Clark died after suffering multiple stab wounds - more than 20 in total, according to the autopsy, Beland said. 

Clark was last known to be with Foster Thursday morning. Foster called Clark's place of work (she works as a phlebotomist in Boston) to say she would be out sick, Beland said. After not hearing from her, friends asked police to conduct a well-being check on Saturday evening.

Clark has two children, ages 13 and 5, Beland said, although there is no information suggesting they were home at the time of the homicide, according to the DA's office. 

During the investigation, authorities developed enough evidence in the residence to establish "probable cause" to issue a warrant for the arrest of Foster, DA Morrissey said during a Sunday press conference at the Stoughton Police station. 

Foster was arrested in Mattapan Monday morning driving Clark's car, a gray, 2001 Pontiac Aztek. A citizen spotted the plates and called Boston Police, helping to lead to Foster's arrest, according to authorities.

Because of Foster's "significant criminal record," which includes drug, larceny and attempted robbery charges, and time spent in prison, the DA's office asked for him to be held without bail.

Stoughton Police Chief Paul Shastany and Deputy Chief Robert Devine were both in attendance at Monday's arraignment. A large group of Clark's family and friends were also present in the courtroom.

A video of District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey addressing the media on the Courthouse steps following Monday's arraignment is posted in the media gallery of this article.