Nicole Cianci, daughter of Buddy Cianci, dies

Today saw a tragedy for former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci. Buddy works for ABC6, as well as WPRO Radio. His daughter, Nicole, was found dead this morning at an apartment on Federal Hill.

     Buddy Cianci called the ABC6 newsroom around 10:30 Friday morning, as he always does. This call was different, however. Buddy said he could not come to work because he had suffered a personal tragedy.

     Nicole Cianci was 38 years old when she died Friday morning. She was the only child of former Providence Mayor and now ABC6 Political Analyst Buddy Cianci. She and her father were in the thoughts of another Providence Mayor and Cianci family friend, Joe Paolino.

     “She was a great young lady. I remember when she was born. I remember when her dad first became mayor, he would take her horseback riding on Blackstone Boulevard, and they would ride horses together. She was very close to both her mother and her father,” Paolino reminisced. 

     Buddy Cianci, issued this statement:

     “This is a tragic and emotional time for Nicole's mother and I. Our entire family appreciates your thoughts, prayers and sentiments. We also ask that our family's privacy be respected during this difficult time.”

     “She was a lovely young lady and a wonderful mother. She has three wonderful beautiful kids,” Joe Paolino said.

     At the time of her death, Nicole Cianci had been living at a triple decker on Knight street, in a third floor apartment.

     According to the Fire department report, rescuers arrived at the apartment building just after 10 o'clock this morning. They found Nicole Cianci in a third floor apartment unresponsive and unconscious.

     The Providence Police report says the cause of death was a possible overdose, but ultimately the medical examiner will determine that. Former Mayor Joe Paolino tells us Nicole had a recent medical problem, that may have been a factor.

     “She had serious Asthma problems and I know that was something that she was struggling with this week, because she did not have her inhaler with her.”

     Funeral arrangement for Nicole Cianci are pending.

     Former Mayor Joe Paolino told ABC6's Mark Curtis that he has spent the better part of the day with the Cianci family He also says Buddy and Sheila Cianci are simply in a state of shock over their daughter's death.

     Current Providence Mayor Angel Taveras also issued a statement, saying, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Nicole Cianci and extend my deepest condolences to Nicole's children, former Mayor Cianci and Nicole's mother, Sheila.

     “Moments like these transcend all political differences. A tragedy with your child is every parent's fear.  I hope that the thoughts and prayers from residents across Providence can bring strength and comfort to the Cianci family during this difficult time.”

     All of us at Buddy's ABC6 family wish to extend our condolences and prayers to the Cianci family.