Boston Man Sentenced After Being Convicted in 2020 Rape Case Involving Woman Found in Trash Bag

A Boston man already serving a lengthy prison sentence for violent crimes has received an additional prison term in connection with the 2020 death of a woman whose body was discovered inside a trash bag in a Hyde Park park.

The latest sentencing marks another chapter in a case that has drawn attention across Massachusetts for its disturbing details and the years-long effort to secure justice for the victim and her family.

Additional Prison Sentence Handed Down

A Suffolk County Superior Court judge sentenced 47-year-old Rinneyrs Pena to three years in state prison following his conviction in a separate case involving the death of 38-year-old Dorchester resident Alenny Matos.

The sentence will run concurrently with a prison term of 17 to 20 years that Pena is already serving after being convicted in another criminal case involving rape, strangulation, and related offenses.

While the new sentence will not extend the total amount of time Pena is expected to spend behind bars, prosecutors said the ruling formally holds him accountable for his actions connected to Matos’ death and the disposal of her body.

Victim Disappeared in Early 2020

According to court records, Matos was reported missing after family members became concerned when she failed to attend planned meetings and stopped responding to phone calls.

Investigators later determined that she had been in contact with Pena shortly before her disappearance.

Authorities believe the two exchanged phone calls on January 25, 2020, and that Pena picked her up from her residence during the early hours of January 26.

Cellphone records reportedly showed Matos made her last outgoing call to Pena shortly after 1 a.m. that morning. Her phone activity then ceased despite repeated attempts by relatives and friends to reach her.

The disappearance triggered an extensive investigation as loved ones searched for answers.

Body Found Months Later

The case took a tragic turn in May 2020 when a woman walking her dog in Hyde Park discovered a trash bag containing human remains near Enneking Parkway in the Stony Brook Reservation.

Due to the advanced state of decomposition, authorities relied on dental records to identify the victim as Matos.

Investigators used cellphone location data, surveillance footage, and witness interviews to reconstruct Pena’s movements around the time of her disappearance.

Prosecutors argued that evidence placed Pena near the wooded area where Matos’ body was ultimately found and that he returned to the location again the following day.

Authorities alleged that Pena abandoned the victim’s body inside a trash bag before leaving the area.

Multiple Criminal Cases

Pena has faced charges in several separate criminal cases involving multiple victims.

Those cases included allegations ranging from rape and kidnapping to assault, strangulation, drug distribution, and domestic violence-related offenses.

Earlier this year, a jury found him guilty on numerous charges connected to one of those cases. He subsequently received a prison sentence of between 17 and 20 years.

The latest sentencing addresses a separate criminal matter connected to Matos’ death and the handling of her remains.

Family Continues to Grieve

During sentencing proceedings, family members described the lasting emotional devastation caused by Matos’ death.

Relatives spoke about the impact her loss has had on her children, siblings, and parents over the past several years.

One family member told the court that Matos was deeply loved and remembered not only as a sister and daughter but also as a devoted mother whose absence continues to affect those closest to her.

Family members said the pain has been intensified by the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the discovery of her body.

Prosecutors Emphasize Accountability

Prosecutors noted that while Pena is already serving a substantial prison sentence, the latest conviction ensures accountability in a case that left a family searching for answers for months.

Officials also highlighted the emotional toll caused by the manner in which the victim’s body was discarded.

Authorities said the sentencing reflects the importance of pursuing justice for victims and their families, even when defendants are already incarcerated on other serious convictions.

Investigation and Legal Proceedings

The case involved years of investigative work, including analysis of cellphone records, surveillance footage, and witness testimony.

Prosecutors presented evidence intended to establish Pena’s connection to Matos in the days leading up to her disappearance and to the location where her remains were found.

The sentencing brings one portion of the legal proceedings to a close, though the case remains a painful reminder of a tragedy that continues to affect Matos’ loved ones.

For her family, the court’s decision represents another step toward accountability, even as they continue to cope with the lasting consequences of losing a beloved mother, sister, and daughter.