Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

projo.com photo / Brandie Jefferson
A third body was loaded into a medical examiner's vehicle this afternoon from a house at 345 Blackstone St. in Providence, which police are treating as a murder scene.

PROVIDENCE -- The bodies of an adult male, adult female and a "younger male" were removed from a South Providence house this afternoon, and police are treating the deaths as homicides.

The three were taken out of the house at 345 Blackstone St., one after the other on stretchers carried through the front door and loaded into state medical examiner's vehicles.

Police said if the deaths are determined to be homicides, they will be the city's first murders of the new year. Asked if they were seeking suspects, police would only repeat that they are treating the deaths as homicides.

Mayor David N. Cicilline, who was at the scene, called it a "terrible tragedy for the city."

Deputy Police Chief Paul Kennedy described the two adults as a couple. He said the police would not comment on identities until the medical examiner has looked at the bodies.

The police went to the scene after getting a call at 12:14 p.m. today from a neighbor asking to check on the well-being of the people in the house. A family member had not been able to get in touch with them and had contacted the neighbor to check on them. The neighbor apparently did not get a response.

The Colonial-style house is green with pale trim, red steps and brownish door, with two, possibly three stories. It's in a neighborhood of similar homes, described by police as single-family and owner-occupied, southwest of the Rhode Island Hospital campus. According to the city's online tax assessment database, the property at 345 Blackstone St. is owned by Sonia M. Flores.

Click here for a panoramic view of the neighborhood.

Police Lt. George Stamatakos called the area is a very good street, not one that sees troubles.

At 6 o'clock tonight, the mayor and Police Chief Dean Esserman will meet with area residents at the Davey Lopes Recreation Center at 227 Dudley St. to talk about what happened.

-- With reports from projo.com staff writer Brandie Jefferson and Journal staff writers Amanda Milkovits and Gregory Smith

Comments

EMT said:

Don't forget folks, the city is safe! The mayor and the police chief said so!

Link | January 7, 2008 2:13 PM
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kat said:

Finally, an article with a map. Thank you, so we don't have to google. But, what kind of a map is that? It does not work like a google map. If you try to drag it so see the surrounding area, if moves the marker. Why not just have a regular google map that everyone is used to using?

I wish people would use maps in all the articles or event announcements were it's pertinent.

Link | January 7, 2008 3:06 PM
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Erin said:

I wish the Cranston Police would take lessons from the Providence Police and learn how to investigate a murder and crime scene. My brother was a murder victim in Cranston last year and the police ignored the crime. So much for feeling safe in RI.

Link | January 7, 2008 4:44 PM
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scott said:

negative comments, is that all we get here?..there is a google map attached if you go to the street address hyperlinked in blue!

Link | January 7, 2008 5:44 PM
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samantha said:

I don't understand why they keep everything hush hush all the time.... if they told some information someone might be able to give them something that can help solve the crime nbefore it is too late.... the more time that passes the less chance they have of solving it..... the first twenty four hours is the most crucial.

Link | January 7, 2008 7:08 PM
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