Son arrested in death of 59-year-old Danville woman

DANVILLE - The son of a Danville woman killed a week ago has been arrested in her murder.

James Coe, 20, has been charged with second degree murder for knowingly killing Denise Damato-Coe, 59, inside her Danville home on Aug. 3.

Damato-Coe's body was found when officers responded to the home following a 911 call for help.

The following day an autopsy by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jennie Duval determined that the cause of Damato-Coe's death was multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of her death was homicide.

A warrant was issued for James Coe's arrest on Wednesday, charging him with second degree murder for causing his mother's death by by shooting her with a rifle. He was also charged with falsifying physical evidence for knowingly altering, concealing, and removing the rifle used to commit the crime, according to a Dept. of Safety press release sent Wednesday.

James Coe was arrested on the warrant in Revere, Mass., and charged with being a fugitive from justice. He is currently being held without bail. It is anticipated that he will be arraigned in Chelsea District Court at hearing to be scheduled in the near future, followed by extradition proceedings to New Hampshire.