Joshua Smith appears in Lynn District Court on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, for allegedly murdering his sister (WFXT/YouTube).
A Massachusetts man is accused of killing his older sister over the weekend in a case that has been described as being “very sad.”
Joshua Smith, 31, has been charged with the murder of 38-year-old Michelle Knox. The Essex County District Attorney”s Office announced the charge on Sunday, and although the announcement mentioned neither the suspect nor the victim’s name, Smith appeared in court on Monday – with cameras rolling.
Smith was arraigned in Lynn District Court for kidnapping and murder, video from Boston Fox affiliate WFXT shows. His demeanor appeared stoic as prosecutors recounted their version of events.
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The Lynn Police Department was called at about 1 a.m. Sunday, and officers responded to Newhall Street in the coastal city about 15 miles north of Boston. Upon arrival, they found a victim – later revealed to be Knox – dead, per Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker’s office.
Prosecutors have not revealed how the victim was killed, but neighbors suggested her death was not quiet.
“It was like horrific screams, like somebody got stabbed or something,” one neighbor told the local outlet.
Another resident appeared shaken by what happened.
“We’re just trying to make sure that we just stay calm and just keep ourselves away from what happened,” he said.
When officers arrived at the apartment building on Newhall Street, they were reportedly met outside by Smith.
“Upon their arrival, they found the defendant, Joshua Smith, outside of the residence, making numerous inculpatory statements about killing his sister, who was identified as Michelle Knox,” prosecutor Stefanie Stanbro said in court on Monday.
According to WFXT, Smith shared the apartment where the crime occurred with his father. It is unclear whether Knox – reportedly his half-sister – lived there, too.
At the time of the incident, the suspect was reportedly out on probation after pleading guilty in July to two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Smith pleaded not guilty on Monday and is being held without bail ahead of his Oct. 14 probable cause hearing, local NBC outlet WBTS reported.
The death continues to be investigated by the Lynn Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit, and the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Everyone involved with the case – including the defense team – appeared disheartened by the woman’s death.
“Every one of these cases is a difficult situation. No matter whether someone is guilty or not guilty,” Defense Attorney Michael Phelan told WFXT. “It’s still … we have an individual who’s passed away and it’s very, very sad — not just someone is gone, it also impacts their family. It’s a hardship on everyone.”
