Newton woman charged with killing man who discovered she was forging checks from him, police say

A Newton woman faces arraignment today on charges she beat a 65-year-old man to death in his Mount Vernon Terrace home after he learned she was stealing money from him, then wrapped his body in a curtain and covered it with construction material in a vain attempt to hide the crime, police say.

Xiu Fang Ke, 43, was arrested after police, responding to a request from Leonard Garber's family yesterday, checked his house and found his wrapped body. This was the police's second visit to the home; family members had initially called Monday seeking a well being check, but responding officers did not locate him them, police say.

According to police and the Middlesex County District Attorney's office:

Police determined that Garber had allegedly been spending time with a female former tenant, later identified as Xiu Fang Ke.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the defendant had allegedly been forging checks from the victim’s accounts and had allegedly stolen over $40,000. When the victim became aware of the theft, he confronted the defendant and she allegedly struck and killed him and then attempted to hide the body.

Police reviewed financial records and surveillance footage from Mr. Garber’s home that allegedly showed an Asian female, later identified as the defendant, entering the victim’s home in the days prior to his body being located.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said in a statement:

I want to begin by saying to the family of Leonard Garber, I personally express my condolences and I also speak for the people of Newton when I say our hearts and prayers are with you.

Mr. Garber was a member of our community. He attended synagogue here; he had friends and neighbors who knew and cared about him. You, too, are in our thoughts, especially in this period of repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

The alleged perpetrator is also known in our community, and I want to acknowledge as well that this is a disturbing and difficult time for those who know her.

Innocent, etc.