NEW DETAILS: 81-year-old woman’s death being considered homicide
By Samantha Fenlon
Police are investigating the death of an elderly woman inside her Woonsocket home as a homicide.
Police have not elaborated on how 81-year-old Constance Gauthier died, but say the preliminary report of the Medical Examiner’s Office is being considered as a homicide. They found her Wednesday afternoon after responding for a well-being check at 191 Fairfield Avenue.
A neighbor told ABC6 News his son spotted her through a back window.
"She was in the bedroom laying down underneath the mattress. Obviously they flipped the mattress on top of her and left it like that."
That man who asked not to be identified described the inside of the home as being ransacked.
"Police officers told me when they interviewed me at work today that the whole bedroom looked like there was a big fight."
Police spent the night scouring through the home. Officers were spotted taking fingerprints and removing evidence bags.
"We’ve been handling this investigation as a suspicious death," said Acting Woonsocket Police Chief Michael Lemoine. "This appears to be an isolated event at this time."
Neighbors, who call the woman Connie, say they’re still trying to wrap their heads around what exactly happened.
"She was a peaceful woman she was sweet, a really sweet woman," said Joy Young. "I don’t really know what’s going on and I grew up on this street so I’m feeling a little emotional. It’s a sad day."
“As far as I know she would not have any enemies she just kept to herself, did gardening, did her morning walk and gave dogs treats. She was a very kind person," said Tammy Deorsey.
State Police and the Attorney General’s Office are assisting in this investigation.
The Woonsocket Police are asking that anyone with information in regards to Gauthier’s death call police at 401-766-1212.
© WLNE-TV 2016
