ATHOL — On Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Athol Police Officers Zachary Duguay and Brandon Newell were dispatched to a residence in Athol following a report of an individual threatening to kill another individual with a knife.
According to a statement from Athol’s Police Chief Craig Lundgren, when officers arrived on scene, they located a 60-year-old disabled man with duct tape wrapped around his neck. The victim was transported to Athol Hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Detective Paul Forand also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
Following the preliminary investigation, officers arrested 46-year-old Curtis Payne and charged him with the following:
- Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (knife)
- Assault & Battery on a Person 60+/Disabled Person with Injury
- Kidnapping
- Strangulation
- Suffocation
- Assault & Battery with Dangerous Weapon (shoe)
- Threat to Commit a Crime (to wit: murder)
- Witness Intimidation
“Mr. Payne was transported to Franklin County House of Correction, where he is being held on $100,000 cash bail,” Chief Lundgren said. “This was an isolated incident, and the parties involved were known to each other. There is no threat to the public.”
