Body Found in Waterbury Was Missing Meriden Mom: Police

A Meriden mom who was reported missing Sunday was found dead in Waterbury, according to police.

Perrie Mason, 31, was reported missing Sunday.

Her boyfriend, 38-year-old Jason Watson, was arrested in connection with a domestic assault that took place before she went missing and charged with strangulation, assault, unlawful restraint and disorderly conduct. A judge called him a “prime suspect” in her disappearance.

According to the arrest affidavit, Watson called Meriden police on Sunday to report that Mason might be missing, but that she also might be at her friend's house and that she was mad at him. He told officers that he would call them again if she didn't show up at work, police said.

Police said Wednesday that Meriden detectives, along with Connecticut State Police and Waterbury Police, found human remains in Waterbury while investigating the case. On Friday, police said the body found was Mason and the medical examiner made the identification in the morning.

The cause of her death was not immediately available. 

Mason's family said she had a son and a daughter. Police said Friday that the family is working with the Department of Children and families to determine who the children will be living with. 

Police held the news conference a day after they were seen searching in the parking lot of a business on Brookside Road in Waterbury.

Throughout the day, detectives were sifting through trash and pulling out shoes and old electronics. Investigators located a hammer in the dumpster and began swabbing the tool after separating several pieces of evidence.

According to Watson’s lawyer, the 38-year-old is an employee of Bay State Textiles, a clothing recycling company where investigators were searching.

Officials from the judicial branch said Watson's bond has been set at $1million.