Hopkinton murder suspect found dead after chase, crash in Richmond

RICHMOND, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island State Police said Sunday that 45-year-old Joseph Francis shot and killed his wife Stephanie in Hopkinton late Friday 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.

The chase stemmed from an investigation at a home on Subtown Road in Hopkinton, where officials said 44-year-old Stephanie Francis was shot and killed just before midnight Friday.

Detectives identified Francis as the suspect and an alert was put out to local agencies informing them of a warrant for his arrest on murder and domestic violence charges.

Officials said Westerly police saw Francis driving on Route 1 just before 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning, attempting to stop him before he sped off.

Francis was then seen again in Charlestown shortly after, where he led police on a chase into Richmond, crashing into the woods off Route 3.

A state police tactical team confirmed the scene was safe to approach, and the Medical Examiners Office and other detectives found Francis dead in his SUV.

Police said his cause of death has yet to be determined.