ID Released Of MA Girl, 16, Who Was Killed By Her Stepfather

ACTION, MA — The identity of a 16-year-old Acton girl who was killed by her stepfather in a suspected murder-suicide Thursday has been released in a GoFundMe campaign set up for her family.

Authorities received a call around 4 p.m. reporting Christina's abduction by her stepfather — 49-year-old Juliano Santana — before finding them both dead by apparent gunshot wounds in Santana's car outside the teen's home on Great Road.

"There are no right words to express this tragedy and never will be," Natalie De, who organized the fundraiser, wrote in its description. "We are heartbroken to share the devastating news of the tragic and untimely death of our beloved Christina. At just 16 years old, Christina's life was taken from her family in an unthinkable act of violence at the hands of her stepfather. The whole community is shattered, and we are all struggling to cope with the overwhelming grief and trauma."

Authorities were able to find Santana's location based on a GPS monitoring device that had been placed on him as a result of a pending case in Middlesex Superior Court, according to the district attorney.

"The subsequent investigation suggests that Santana abducted the victim as she was walking on Great Road near her residence after school and later shot her and then himself," the district attorney said.

Christina had been the victim in a pending criminal case against Santana, authorities said. She reported on Sept. 7, 2021 that Santana had sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions, resulting in Santana's arrest and arraignment on 6 counts of aggravated rape of a child.

Bail was set at $30,000 with conditions that he be placed on a GPS monitoring device, stay away from and have no contact with the victim, and have no unsupervised contact with anyone under 18. The victim also had an active restraining order against the Santana.

The trial date had been scheduled for July 29, 2024.

"Christina was a bright, full-of-life 16-year-old girl who was really good at science and dreamed of going to college one day," the GoFundMe continued. "She had just started driving and was excited to take another step towards independence. Christina's loss leaves a void that can never be filled. Her two younger sisters and mom will need all the support they can get during this unimaginably difficult time. They are not only grappling with the loss of their beloved sister and daughter, but also trying to comprehend the traumatic events that have shattered their world."

The funds raised through the campaign will be used for the funeral and memorial expenses, along with potential legal fees, advocacy, and support for the family, according to the GoFundMe.

A free, 24/7, confidential service can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress or those around them with support, information, and local resources. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255).