Police investigating Westerly house fire as murder-suicide

By: Ellie Romano

Email: ERomano@ABC6.com

Twitter: @ERomanoABC6

WESTERLY, R.I. (WLNE) – The Westerly Police Department is investigating a deadly house fire that broke out at 54 Tum A Lum Circle Monday afternoon.

Officials said when they arrived on scene around 4:30 p.m., the home was already engulfed in flames.

Officers began speaking with several neighbors who gave similar accounts of loud popping noises and smoke and fire coming from the rear of the residence.

Police said the owner of the home, 59-year-old Patricia Martell, died in the fire. They said her body was found in the basement of the structure. 

Officials are now investigating to see if her son, 22-year-old Scott Martell, is responsible for the fire.

According to police, the son was caught on a neighbor’s surveillance camera driving away before the fire broke out. 

Police tracked Martell to Connecticut, where they say he attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge, more commonly referred to as the Q Bridge, in New Haven.

Martell initially survived the jump and was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. 

More details of the investigation will be released as the investigation continues.

©WLNE/ ABC6 2019