Luigi Epifania, 32, of East Boston was identified as the victim in last week’s homicide.
By John Lynds
The man killed last Tuesday night has been identified as Luigi Epifania, 32, of East Boston and police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the murder. Epifania was found shot to death at 7 Woodsworth St. last Tuesday night by police.
Epifania gained notoriety in Eastie for a string of violent incidents and drug charges that included lighting a cat on fire and throwing it through the window of a home on Eagle Hill. He was convicted in August 2008 and was sentenced to two and half years for killing “Nunu,” a domesticated neighborhood cat, and sending its burning remains through the window of 204 Princeton St. on the morning of June 13, 2007. The blaze caused significant damage to the first floor of the building.
Epifania also pled guilty to attempted murder charges stemming from a violent June 11, 2007 attack on an acquaintance during a botched drug sale on Saratoga Street. In that case, Epifania allegedly slashed the victim, punched him in the face, forced him to strip and get in the shower, and threatened him with a hot frying pan.
Then in 2011, Epifania was convicited for possession of Oxycontin pills, a drug that has reached epidemic proportions in Eastie. The drug conviction came after Epifania served time for the cat incident and attempted murder charges. However, while out on probation he was arrested during a drug transaction and was found to be carrying 150 Oxycontin pills. Judge Charles Spurlock, who presided over Epifania’s earlier trial and plea, re-sentenced Epifania to a term of 3 to 5 years in prison at a probation surrender hearing in 2011.
Epifania again made news during the state crime label scandal regarding Annie Doohkan, a state chemist who admitted to mishandling evidence in numerous drug conviction cases. Several defendants had been released due to Doohkan’s mishandling of drug evidence. While in prison, lawyers tried to get Epifania’s drug conviction thrown out but Judge Christine McEvoy declined to address Epifania’s case during a Drug Court session.
Boston Police Homicide Detectives continue to actively review the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact Boston Police Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470.
Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to help this investigation in an anonymous manner.