The death of an 18-year-old woman found shot inside a Boston rental property owned by the husband of U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley has been officially ruled a homicide, authorities announced Thursday.
The Boston Police Department formally identified the victim as Yoseliani Ann Marte Ocasio, of Boston. Officers responding to a call at 1:52 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, found Ocasio dead in a rear bedroom at 25 Malta Road in the city’s Mattapan neighborhood, according to a police report shared with The Independent.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Thursday that Ocasio died from a single gunshot wound and officially classified the case as a homicide.
Ocasio’s mother, Elenie Ocasio, told Boston 25 News on July 20 that she believed her daughter was killed, emphasizing that the teenager was not suicidal.
“This coward killed my baby. He put a gun to her head, took my baby in that house and left her to die,” Elenie Ocasio told the station. “My daughter didn’t deserve this. My daughter did not deserve this, and it’s all going to come to light. Everything’s gonna come out.”

No arrests have been made, and police released no suspect information. However, law enforcement officials stated there was “absolutely nothing that indicates any connection to the owners of the property,” according to The Boston Globe.
The two-story, seven-bedroom multi-family home is owned as a rental property by Conan Harris, the husband of Pressley. The house had been listed for sale for $1.15 million, but real estate listings show it is currently off the market.
A spokesperson for the listing realtor told ABC affiliate WCVB that the tenants living in the rental had been there for a while, though they did not specify the exact duration.
Pressley and Harris do not live at the Malta Street address and never have, a person familiar with the matter told The Independent. The couple resides in the Hyde Park section of Boston, according to Pressley’s website.
A spokesperson for Pressley previously confirmed that neither the lawmaker nor her family were involved in the incident.
In a recent statement, Pressley expressed her grief over the teenager’s death, noting that as a parent of a teenager herself, “the thought of a young person violently losing their life in this way is beyond crushing.”
“I am devastated about the death of Yoseliani Marte, an 18-year-old with so many dreams ahead of her, her life cut short by domestic violence,” Pressley said. “I stand with our community and everyone who loved Yoseliani as we grieve this deep loss. May we all honor her life and humanity and extend compassion to her loved ones as they navigate this heartbreaking tragedy.”
Pressley’s office added in an earlier statement, “The Congresswoman extends her deepest condolences to the impacted family.”
First elected to Congress in 2019, Pressley represents Massachusetts’ 7th congressional district, which encompasses several Boston neighborhoods. She is a prominent member of “The Squad,” a group of progressive Democratic House members that includes Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.

Local community members have also paid tribute to the 18-year-old. Shea Butter Smoothies, a Dorchester juice bar where Ocasio worked, posted a remembrance to Facebook on July 20 honoring her contributions to their team.
“Liani was a brilliant and motivated young lady whose passion and dedication had a profound impact on our team and the work we do,” the business wrote. “Her innovative ideas, particularly in enhancing Shea Butter Smoothies, brought a unique touch that our customers adored. She approached every project with enthusiasm, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
The post added, “Liani brought joy and positivity to our workplace. Her infectious laughter, kindness, and willingness to help others made her not just a colleague, but a cherished friend to many. She will be missed immensely, and her legacy will live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her.”
The business announced it would donate 50 percent of the proceeds from sales of its “Big Papi” smoothie to assist the family with funeral costs.
“We encourage our community to join us in this effort, as we remember the beautiful person she was,” the business stated. “Rest in peace, Yoseliani. You will always be remembered.”
Her family has also organized a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral and unexpected expenses, raising more than $18,500 toward a $20,000 goal.
“No words can truly express the pain of losing someone so young, with so many dreams, hopes, and milestones still ahead of her,” Elenie Ocasio wrote on the fundraising page. “Yoseliani was deeply loved by her family, friends, and everyone whose life she touched. Her kindness, beautiful spirit, and bright future will never be forgotten.”
A Boston Police Department spokesperson told The Independent that additional updates would be released as the investigation progresses.
The Boston Police Department Homicide Unit is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact Boston homicide detectives at 617-343-4470.
