A Lynn man is charged with stabbing the pregnant former girlfriend of his brother to death.

Zachary Vozzella, 26, was arrested and charged in Lynn District Court Thursday morning with murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Authorities say he murdered Brianna Welsh, 25, of Lynn, on Wednesday morning while her former boyfriend and his younger brother, Brendon Vozzella, 24, was in custody on a domestic violence charge.

Zachary Vozzella pleaded not guilty to the charges. Judge David E. Frank ordered him held without bail. The case is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 10 for a probable cause hearing.

“The tragic violence that has taken the life of Brianna Welsh and her unborn child has created an unbearable loss for her family,” Essex DA Paul Tucker said in a press statement. “While their loss cannot be repaired or remedied, I hope that our efforts to seek justice on her behalf assures them that we and the community support them.”

Lynn Police responded to Welsh’s home at 254 Lynnway #329 on Wednesday morning and found Welsh dead from apparent “multiple sharp force injuries” according to a DA statement. Welsh shared the home with Brendon Vozzella, authorities say.

Lynn Police Chief Christopher Reddy said that he extends the department’s “deepest condolences to Brianna’s family and pledge our continued support as we seek justice on her behalf.”

Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson said the city is left “with a profound grief” over Welsh’s death.

“That she was an expectant mother makes this even more tragic, chilling, outrageous, and impossible to comprehend,” he added.