Serial Rapist Admits to Killing 87-Year-Old Woman in South End 20 Years Ago
Police used DNA evidence to make an arrest in the cold case of rape and murder of Zahia Salem.
A man accused of assaulting and strangling an 87-year-old woman 20 years ago in her South End home pleaded guilty to all charges, and was sentenced to life in prison for the crime, according to a statement from Suffolk County District Attorney's office. Charles H. Brook, Jr. 67, admitted on Thursday that in 1989, he gained entry to the Union Park Street apartment where Zahia Salem, 87, lived alone, beat her, sexually assaulted her, and strangled her to death. Brook – who has cancer – was given the mandatory term for that offense, life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years. A Cold Case Although Boston Police detectives never found a suspect during their initial investigation 20 years ago, Conley said the case was …
