Police: Clinton woman strangled roommate, poured wax on her during fight over dogs

CLINTON — On Thursday, May 15, 2025, at approximately 8:48 p.m., Officer Kristopher Vazquez of the Clinton Police Department was dispatched to the apartment building located at 55 Green Street following a report of a physical altercation between two women.

(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Kristopher Vazquez and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)

Sergeant Brendon O’Malley, Officer Brian O’Malley, and Officer Geraldo Guerra also responded to the scene. According to Officer Vazquez, police arrived at the scene within minutes of the call.

“While outside the building I was greeted by one of the involved female parties who identified herself as Rebecca [last name redacted],” Officer Vazquez said. “I took note that Rebecca appeared visibly upset.”

According to Officer Vazquez, Rebecca, 40, said she and her roommate, Elaine Stratman, had been arguing throughout the day—both in person and over text—about scheduling and care for their two dogs.

According to police, Elaine Marie Stratman, 59, is a resident of 55 Green Street, Apt. [X], Clinton, MA.

“Rebecca explained that after she took a shower, Elaine began a verbal confrontation about the issues,” Officer Vazquez said. “Rebecca added that at the start of this verbal confrontation Elaine had already drank an ‘entire bottle of wine.’ Rebecca reportedly removed herself from the confrontation.”

Officer Vazquez said that shortly after, Rebecca’s poodle grabbed a stuffed toy belonging to Stratman’s dog and began playing with it.

“Upon realizing this, Elaine became even more upset, and began yelling at both Rebecca and her poodle,” Officer Vazquez said. “Rebecca stated that Elaine became physical, and aggressively grabbed Rebecca by the front of her jacket near her collar. She then released her grip and began angrily chasing Rebecca’s poodle with the dog toy in hand, screaming ‘No! No! No!’ When Rebecca verbally intervened by saying ‘Elaine stop,’ Elaine reportedly turned her attention back to Rebecca and again grabbed her in the same manner.”

Officer Vazquez said that, at this point, the two women began wrestling each other.

“During the grapple, Elaine reportedly pushed Rebecca, took a lit candle and poured the wax onto Rebecca’s foot, and strangled Rebecca,” Officer Vazquez said. “Upon reporting the strangulation, Rebecca lifted her head to show Patrolman Guerra and I her neck. I noticed that there were light red marks in the area consistent with Rebecca’s report. There was also a scratch with a small drop of blood on her throat.”

Officer Vazquez said that later on, Rebecca discovered a bite mark on the back of her right shoulder and showed it to him.

“The mark was red and clear teeth marks were imprinted on Rebecca’s skin,” Officer Vazquez said. “After speaking with Rebecca, I went inside of 55 Green St to apartment [XXX] where Sergeant O’Malley and Officer O’Malley were already speaking with Elaine.”

Officer Vazquez said that upon entering the apartment, he noted that Stratman appeared angry based on her aggressive tone when speaking with Officer O’Malley.

“It seemed as if Elaine was speaking at Officer O’Malley, as if she were lecturing him, as opposed to speaking to him,” Officer Vazquez said. “As she spoke, Elaine continuously bobbed her head with an attitude.”

Officer Vazquez said he also noticed a wine glass on the countertop, half full of red wine, as if someone had been drinking from it.

“There was a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Elaine’s person as she spoke,” Officer Vazquez said. “Throughout my interaction with Elaine, she was very animated and aggressive with her tone. At one point she stated to me, ‘I don’t care who you are! You put your hands on me, I’m gonna fight ya! You could be the pope.’”

Officer Vazquez said that Stratman gave a similar account of events leading up to the physical altercation but stated that Rebecca placed her hand on her chest when attempting to stop her from disciplining the poodle.

“From there, Elaine stated that a physical altercation had ensued,” Officer Vazquez said. “Elaine added that she turned Rebecca around so that she was on Rebecca’s back, and she wrapped her arm around Rebecca’s neck similar to a rear naked choke [hold]. Elaine stated, ‘She ran away…I called the police…I’m telling you; I retaliated.’”

Officer Vazquez said that, based on the totality of the circumstances, he determined Stratman to be the primary aggressor. He placed her under arrest, handcuffed her, and Sergeant O’Malley transported her to the police station.

“During the booking process, Elaine continued to berate and argue with officers regarding the arrest,” Officer Vazquez said. “Elaine stated, ‘You’ve just created a firestorm! That’s what you guys have done…I’m gonna call Maura Healey! I’m gonna call whoever I gotta call because this is wrong! You’re dead wrong!’ She later continued by stating to me, ‘You are going to regret this day! I guarantee it!’”

Officer Vazquez said that Stratman grew increasingly agitated and eventually got in his face while yelling.

“Officer Guerra intervened and she repeated the same aggressive behavior with him, only backing up when he put his hand on her shoulder and gently escorted her away from him,” Officer Vazquez said. “At one point, Officer Guerra said to Elaine, ‘Ma’am, please stop screaming in my face,’ as he was attempting to set up the fingerprint machine.”

Officer Vazquez said that afterwards, Stratman extended her hand, palm up, and offered it to Officer Guerra.

“Officer Guerra took her hand and was holding it for approximately five seconds,” Officer Vazquez said. “Just after Officer Guerra sprayed Elaine’s hand with water (necessary for print taking), Elaine again began her aggressive behavior, ripped her hand from his grip, and put her finger in his face while yelling.”

Officer Vazquez said that due to Stratman’s behavior, the decision was made to pause the booking process and place her in a holding cell until she sobered up and calmed down. He said Magistrate Chris Hart decided to have Stratman held for court the following day. She was later booked by the night shift.

(Please note that the specific charges against Stratman were not included in the personnel narrative obtained by News Link Live through a public records request.)

Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in May, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.

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