Detective

Boyfriend is ‘Prime Suspect' in Meriden Woman's Disappearance: Judge

The boyfriend of a missing Meriden woman has been arrested in connection to a domestic assault that took place before she went missing, as police continue to search for any clues in her disappearance.

A source with knowledge of the investigation confirms that the search for missing woman 31-year-old Perrie Mason has been extended to Waterbury.

Police said her boyfriend, 38-year-old Jason Watson has been arrested for strangulation, assault, unlawful restraint and disorderly conduct. 

According to officers, the incident happened a few days before Mason was reported missing.

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Meriden Police
Police are looking for Perrie Mason, 31, who was reported missing from Meriden.

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.

Later that day, Mason's sister, who lives in Georgia, called Meriden police because she had not heard from her in two days.

She also told police about an incident from Thursday which Mason told her that Watson had choked her unconscious while the two were fighting, according to the affidavit.  Mason sent photos of her injuries to her sister, but said she didn't want to call police because she didn't want anyone to get in trouble, according to the documents.

In court on Wednesday, the state's attorney called Watson a suspect in Mason's disappearance and the judge at the hearing called him a prime suspect.

Watson's attorney told the judge that his client has cooperated with police and allowed his home to be searched.

NBC Connecticut spoke with Mason’s cousins outside of Meriden Police Department Wednesday.

“We’re just trying to keep strong. Perrie is really strong. She’s a strong individual emotionally,” said Alu Ioelu, who tell us the single mother moved to Connecticut from Hawaii a year ago.

Mason is 4-feet, 11-inches tall and 130 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on Mason's whereabouts is asked to call Meriden Police Detective Femia at (203) 630-6219.

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