About 18 months after Annamarie Cochrane Rintala was found murdered, her family believes the case will be solved.
Monsignor George A. Farland speaks at the funeral for Annamarie Cochrane Rintala last year.SPRINGFIELD – Saying the wife of murder victim Annamarie Cochrane Rintala has not been ruled out as a suspect, the Prudential Insurance Company is asking the court to decide if a life insurance claim should be paid to her.
Annamarie Rintala took out a $512,000 life insurance policy through her employer, American Medical Response of Western Massachusetts. Her wife, Cara L. Rintala, was listed as the main beneficiary and brother Charles W. Cochrane would receive the payment if Rintala was not able.
Lawyers for The Prudential Insurance Company of America filed a civil action complaint on June 1 in U.S. District Court in Springfield, asking if it should pay the claim submitted from Cara Rintala six weeks earlier.
“Prudential was subsequently advised by the Massachusetts Northwestern District Attorney’s Office that the insured’s death is under investigation and that Cara has not been eliminated as a suspect in connection with the death of the insured,” the court document said.
Annamarie Rintala, 37, was found dead on March 29, 2010 in the basement of the home the couple shared at 18 Barton St., Granby. She was beaten in the head and strangled. Her death was ruled a homicide.
First Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Steven E. Gagne said no one has been ruled out as a suspect a year after Rintala’s death.
“We are not going to comment on anything the insurance company may have said, or what it says we said,” Gagne said.
Rintala, who has sold her home on Barton Street and moved to Rhode Island, could not be reached.
A spokeswoman for the Prudential Company said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.
According to court documents, if the company paid Cara Rintala and she is later convicted of murder, it could be required to make a second payment to Charles Cochrane.
Lawyers for Prudential asked the court to make a ruling on how to handle the issue.
“Prudential is ready, willing and hereby offers to deposit the death benefit, together with accrued claim interest, if any, to the Court or with a person duly authorized by the Court to receive it,” the court documents said.
Pasquale Martin, of East Longmeadow, Rintala’s uncle, said his family believes there will be an arrest in the death of his niece, despite the length of time that has passed since her death.
The family has had moments of impatience but they try to do the best they can do to honor his niece’s memory.
“Ann was a great person and did nothing but the best for everyone,” he said.
Martin said they continue to speak with state police and are confident the investigation is active and making progress.