Man accused of killing wife in Hopkinton was previously arrested in domestic incident

HOPKINTON, R.I. (WLNE) — A man accused of shooting and killing his wife in Hopkinton late Friday was arrested in a domestic case back in May.

Rhode Island State Police said Sunday that 45-year-old Joseph Francis shot and killed his wife, 44-year-old Stephanie Francis, in Hopkinton late Friday before crashing his car in Richmond on Saturday.

Francis was previously charged with several counts of domestic violence and a gun offense after an incident involving his wife at a residence on Subtown Road on May 20, according to a police report.

Authorities said Francis was found dead in his SUV after he crashed down an embankment during a chase that stemmed from a shooting investigation at the same residence on Subtown Road in Hopkinton.

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.