A Retrospective At Recent Waltham Murders

The recent murders of three men in a Harding Avenue home have unfortunately tainted the city with the mark of violent crime. However, an examination of killings in the city in the past few years reveals that most times, when a murder occurs in Waltham, it is a targeted killing, instead of a random act of violence, such was the case in a New Hampshire incident two years ago. Examples below:

• The case of was a tragedy of domestic violence and a targeted killing. Issa was recently convicted of killing his girlfriend at her Waltham home, after she threatened to leave him.
• The case of while likely the most unusual murder case Waltham has ever seen, was another example of a targeted murder. In that case, Keown, who had been leading a double life, successfully plotted to kill his wife by poisoning her Gatorade. Keown is currently serving a prison sentence for the murder.
• While Oscar Lopez, whom authorities suspected murdered his common law wife in 2001, was never arrested, he is believed to have killed somebody he knew — his common law wife, according to America’s Most Wanted. He is possibly hiding in Guatemala.
• Then there is the case of , both Newton residents accused of murdering Adam Coveney, 29, of Waltham, last year. Both men are charged with beating and killing Coveney during a drug deal. A third West Roxbury man is also charged in the case.
• Lastly, the case of Michael Coutoumas, was a tragic case of another targeted killing. Coutoumas allegedly shot and killed his wife in November 2010, before turning the gun on himself, according to the Boston Globe.