North Providence Police rule ‘suspicious’ death a homicide

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — North Providence police declared the death of a man found inside a music studio during a wellbeing check this past weekend to be a homicide.

41-year-old Hector Arvelo was found dead deceased inside Pressure Records Studio on Humbert Street on Feb. 22.

Police responded around 10:15 a.m. when family members said they had not heard from Arvelo in two days.

Police suspected foul play at the scene and detectives were called in to investigate.

“Injuries were visible once officers and detectives got in there,” Chief Alfredo Ruggiero said. “Which alerted them that this may be more than just a health issue or a sudden death.”

The medical examiners office took custody of the body and the death was deemed suspicious.

An autopsy performed on Arvelo determined the cause of death to be homicide.

The incident appears to be isolated and there is no danger to the community, according to North Providence police.

Neighbor Ray Hartenstine said, while the death is disconcerting, there is a regular police presence in the area.

“The cops are up and down here all the time,” Hartenstine said. “How are you going to stop murder, whether it’s premeditated or by the heat of the moment.”

“I’ve done my fair share of security work in dormitories at URI and at the IMH,” he added. “Human behavior is what it is.”

The investigation into the matter is ongoing.