THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JAnUAry 17, 2025 Page 3 Tragedy at the WIN Waste Innovations plant After two weeks of waiting for answers, the mother of a 21-year-old Saugus man gets a DA briefing about his death By Mark E. Vogler D anita Moment learned the tragic news of her son Cole’s unexplained death on New Year’s Eve. A worker at WIN Waste Innovations had discovered the lifeless body of the 21-year-old Saugus High honor student outside the trash-to-energy plant on Route 107. But two weeks passed before Mrs. Moment finally got some answers to her questions of what happened to her son and why. “They gave me what they knew, and I appreciate that,” Moment told The Saugus Advocate Tuesday (Jan. 14) after returning from a briefing at Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s Office. “They were very helpful and got me to understand what happened. The DA’s office did a good job in trying to make me understand that it was an accident,” she said. “I do believe there was no COLE X. MOMENT: The preliminary finding of the investigation into his unexplained death is that there was no foul play involved. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) foul play. I do believe it was an accident. It’s still an open investigation. But there was no foul play,” she said. Mrs. Moment said she got to see a video turned over by WIN as evidence in the case. Cole Moment was pronounced dead at the WIN Waste Innovations plant, which is located on Route 107 in Saugus, at about 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2024, according to a press release issued by DA Tucker’s Office. “Saugus Police and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Tucker’s office investigated the unattended death,” the press release continued. “Authorities do not suspect foul play; the official cause and manner of death will be determined by an investigation led by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner,” the District Attorney’s Office said. Mrs. Moment said she learned from her visit to the DA’s Office in Salem that it could be months before the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner concludes its investigation. But she said the briefing she received on the police investigation gave her some comfort, putting many of her questions to rest. “The DA’s Office did a great job, trying to make me understand what happened. And I’m very grateful for that,” Mrs. Moment said. In the midst of the tragedy, she said she also learned that her son had touched many lives at a young age, and that many in town rallied around her and her family. “I appreciate the outpouring of support from the Saugus community, the Saugus Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office,” Mrs. Moment said. “Cole was well loved and the Saugus community was awesome the way people came together to support the family. They’ve been so supportive, so loving and so helpful. I appreciate every one of them,” she said. Cole Moment was a lifelong Saugus resident and was an honors student and graduate in the Saugus High Class of 2021. He was a recent student at Bunker Hill Community College. “Cole’s passion and love was art and family,” according to an obituary. The Tribute Book kept by Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home included some comments from educators of Saugus Public Schools: Doreen Mastandrea: “Cole was my student when I was an art teacher at Saugus High. He was a bright spot in my day. Such a kind and generous soul. I am so sorry for the loss of such a gem of a human being.” Christina Litman: “I knew Cole through my work as a substitute teacher at Saugus High School. It was always a pleasure having him in class. He was a genuinely kind, respectful, and polite person. I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends.” Kathy Tolios: “I was lucky enough to have had Cole as a student at the Lynnhurst School. He was such a kind, respectful young man whose smile lit up a room. I am saddened to hear of his passing. May he rest in eternal peace.” Mary Urban, Sr. Director of Communications & Community for WIN Waste Innovations, issued the following statement: “We appreciate the concern from the community and are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred on our property. We have been fully cooperating with the proper authorities and provided all video and information about the event to the Saugus Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Since this is an open investigation, we ask that all inquiries about the event be directed to the Essex County District Attorney at 978-745-6610 / 867741-3163 (TTY).” The Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker has met with the family of Cole Moment and shared details of the investigation. 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