By: Melissa Toupin
mtoupin@abc6.com
Police are investigating an attempted murder in East Providence after a woman was found in her home severely beaten.
"This neighborhood is very quiet," said neighbor Paulette Littlejohn. " It's not like we have a lot of crime or anything. I'm just surprised."
A relative found the woman, believed to be in her late 40's to early 50's, around 7 am and called police. She was taken to Rhode Island Hospital and is in critical condition.
Her husband was found, dead, about 10 miles away at a barn on North Wheaton Ave in Seekonk, MA where he worked as a farm hand. Police say it was an apparent suicide.
Police say the incident stemmed from some sort of domestic dispute.
Neighbors say the couple had been married more than 20 years, and had a turbulent relationship. Still, they can't believe it would ever come to this.
"He seemed to be a good guy," said one neighbor who did not want to be identified.
Friends of the husband tell us the pair was going through a rough time, and that within the last few months the wife had asked for a divorce.
They say the husband was also recently laid off from his job, and was picking up some hours at that barn.
Police say there is no history of violence at the home. The two individuals involved are yet to be identified by police.
"I'll pray for her," said Littlejohn. "I'll pray for him, too. It's just terrible something like that could happen."
