GoFundMe set up for Hopkinton murder victim’s kids
HOPKINTON, R.I. (WLNE) — The community of Hopkinton is raising money for a mother who was shot and killed by her estranged husband.
Back in early July, police said 45-year-old Joseph Francis shot and killed his wife Stephanie before crashing his car in Richmond on Saturday.
Authorities said Francis was found dead in his SUV after he crashed down an embankment near Dawley Memorial Park while attempting to outrun police.
A report from Hopkinton police showed that 45-year-old Joseph Francis was arrested for multiple domestic misdemeanors and a felony gun charge.
Police took two pistols from the home he shared with his wife, and a no-contact order was issued between Joseph and Francis.
That no contact order was still in place when he killed shot her in front of their two children and a friend of theirs inside her home.
In a GoFundMe, Jim Larisa, a restaurant owner in Richmond, stated that it would take the family and the community to support them in whatever way is needed to help them heal and move forward but to also never forget.
“The children, 14 and 10, now find their lives uprooted and parentless,” it stated.
“This awful, heart-wrenching and merciless tragedy has rocked the lives of Stephanie’s family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and the Chariho community as a whole. It’s those same friends, neighbors, co-workers, and community that need to support Stephanie’s family as they take on the monumental task of raising, supporting and being there for Stephanie’s two children,” it further stated.
Friends of Francis are in the process of organizing a Remembrance Day and Vigil for her and her family. All monies raised from the GoFundMe and the event will benefit the two children.
So far, the GoFundMe has raised over $12,000.
