The city of Methuen, Massachusetts, is grieving the loss of Dominga Romano, a 55‑year‑old educator whose life was cut short on December 29, 2025, in a tragic domestic incident at her home on Lyndale Avenue.
Police were called to the residence around 5:00 p.m. after relatives raised concerns when they had not heard from her since Christmas morning. Officers entered the home and found Romano deceased from gunshot wounds. The area was immediately secured as investigators from Methuen Police, Massachusetts State Police, and the Essex County District Attorney’s office began their work. Evidence collected included a firearm discovered in a kitchen drawer and spent shell casings nearby.
Her son, 26‑year‑old Anthony Nunez‑Romano, was taken into custody at the scene. He was arraigned the following day in Lawrence District Court on charges of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and defacing a firearm’s serial number. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail, with a probable cause hearing scheduled for February 20, 2026. Family members shared that he had been diagnosed with autism and schizophrenia, while witnesses reported comments he had made about inheriting the home.
Dominga Romano’s professional life was defined by her devotion to education. For 15 years she served at Lawrence High School, beginning as a paraprofessional before becoming a Spanish teacher. Colleagues and students alike remembered her for her energy, compassion, and ability to inspire confidence in every learner. She was celebrated for recognizing the potential in her students and for creating classrooms where diversity was embraced and achievement encouraged.
Her commitment extended beyond Lawrence High. As an adjunct instructor in Early Childhood Education at Urban College of Boston, Romano influenced future educators with her expertise and passion. Colleagues described her as a role model whose presence elevated those around her. Romano’s Dominican heritage enriched her teaching, allowing her to connect deeply with students from varied backgrounds in Lawrence’s multicultural environment.
The news of her death has reverberated throughout Lawrence High School and the wider Merrimack Valley. She is remembered not only as a teacher but as a mentor, friend, and community pillar whose laughter and dedication left a lasting mark. In Methuen and Lawrence, where community ties run deep, her loss has prompted collective sorrow and reflection on the importance of supporting families through challenges.
Dominga Romano’s legacy endures in the countless lives she touched through education and kindness. Her passing is a reminder of the profound contributions educators make quietly every day, and of the need for compassion and resources in addressing mental health and domestic struggles.
