Bristol man accused of killing, robbing grandmother for drug money convicted

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Bristol man was convicted in the killing of his grandmother, prosecutors said Tuesday.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office said Raymond Paiva, 30, plead guilty to murder, conspiracy to commit murder, four counts of receiving stolen goods — less than $1,500, two counts of forgery, and obtaining property under false pretenses — less than $1,500.

Paiva is accused of killing his grandmother before robbing her to get money for heroin.

Prosecutors said that Paiva was at his grandparent’s house on Sowams Drive on the afternoon of Feb. 10, 2017. Officials said evidence showed that Paiva had used heroin and wanted money to get more.

He is accused of waiting until his grandfather went to work around 3:15 p.m. to attack his grandmother, 62-year-old Eudora Gustafson.

Paiva allegedly smothered Gustafson with a pillow and covered her head with a trash bag before taking her car keys and rings, more jewelry from a bedroom safe, half-dollar coins, and her checkbook.

Prosecutors said her official cause of death was asphyxiation.

Paiva fled the house in her car and unsuccessfully tried to use her checkbook at a nearby bank.

He pawned the jewelry that night at a shop in North Providence and bought heroin in Providence. Shortly after, he was arrested by Providence police.

Prosecutors said the DNA evidence at the murder scene matched Paiva’s.

Paiva is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 3 in Providence Superior Court. The case against his co-defendant, Selena Martinez, remains pending.