Remains found in 1989 identified as Woonsocket woman

WARWICK, Mass. (WLNE) — The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that remains found 35 years ago have been identified as Constance Bassignani.

Bassignani, who resided in Woonsocket, Rhode Island with her second husband William Bassignani when she disappeared, was discovered by a driver on Route 78 in Warwick, dismembered.

Bassignani’s was born in 1924 in Hawaii, and her husband told family and friends around Memorial Day of 1989 that she had moved back to Hawaii.

In a press release from the Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan, Sullivan said investigators found no evidence that Constance Bassignani ever moved back to Hawaii.

Sullivan said her husband, who died in 1993, is considered to be a person of interest in the case.

Sullivan said in his statement:

“Now that we know Constance’s identity, who she was married to at the time she disappeared, and where she lived, we are hopeful there may be someone out there who knows something, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant, that could help push this investigation forward.

Investigators say advances in DNA technology helped to advance the homicide investigation.