‘Horrific actions’: Exeter man convicted of killing roommate with a rock in 2022

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — An Exeter man has been convicted of murdering his roommate with a rock in 2022, according to a statement from the office of Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.

Ramsundar Ramkalawan, 63, was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder in Washington County Superior Court Monday. 

Ramkalawan engaged in an argument with his two roommates in their Exeter apartment on July 18, 2022.

A short time later, Ramkalawan put on gloves, entered the victim’s room and hit Donna MacDonald, 65, in the head with a rock eight times.

Ramkalawan entered a gas station below the apartment several hours later and reported that McDonald was unresponsive.

Rhode Island State Police responded to the residence and discovered MacDonald’s body.

Video footage obtained in the investigation determined that Ramkalawan left the apartment multiple times to discard items into a dumpster.

A pair of gloves and a rock containing DNA from both Ramkalawan and MacDonald were recovered by police.

Ramkalawan later confessed to the attack during a subsequent interview with police.

“I commend the troopers of the Rhode Island State Police, in partnership with the Attorney General’s Office, for their investigation and prosecution of this case” said Rhode Island State Police Colonel Darnell S. Weaver.

“I am grateful that with this verdict, we will hold the defendant accountable for his horrific actions.”