meriden

Family Reacts After Meriden Mom Found Dead in Waterbury

Perrie Mason was reported missing Sunday and her remains were found in Waterbury.

What to Know

  • Perrie Mason, 31, was reported missing Sunday.
  • Her boyfriend, 38-year-old Jason Watson, told police she might be missing, but also might be at her friend's house and was mad at him.
  • Police found human remains while investigating the case and said Friday the body was the missing mother.

Police say remains found in Waterbury are that of 31-year-old Perrie Mason, a Meriden woman reported missing Sunday.

The cause of death has not been released. For her family, their focus is on getting custody of her two children.

“They do shed their tears. They know that mom's not coming home but they know nothing further,” said Vao Horlback, Mason’s sister.

As family members grieve over Mason’s death, they’re also fighting to hold on to the two boys she left behind.

“Until the kids come home with me we're not leaving,” Horlback said.

Mason’s 11- and 12-year-old sons are in DCF custody. Their mother’s ex-boyfriend, Jason Watson, has been arrested, accused of domestic violence.

Meriden police say he strangled Mason until she blacked out during a fight last week. Days later, she was reported missing.

He has not been charged in connection with the 31-year-old’s death, but prosecutors previously said he was a suspect in her disappearance.

The investigation into the missing mom led to Bay State Textiles in Waterbury, where Watson worked.

That’s where authorities say they found Mason’s body.

“It's sad. Very sad,” a member of Watson’s family said.

That member of Watson’s extended family, who did not want to reveal her identity, said she was surprised to hear about the domestic violence allegations against him.

“I thought he was a good kid.”

Police said their investigation is far from over, but remain tight-lipped about the case.

Mason’s family said her two children have been through a terrible trauma, ripped away from their mother and their home. Their focus is all about keeping the boys close.

“Our main goal right now is to bring these kids home so they can be with family,” Horlback said. “They need to be surrounded with love and support at this time.”

DCF says while they can’t disclose any information about kids in foster care, they do prefer to place children with relatives.

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