Sister of Woonsocket woman accused of killing her father also charged in his death

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — The sister of a woman accused of killing her father has also been charged in his death.

Danielle Pamula, 38, has been charged with murder in the death of her father Joseph Pamula. She was arranged Friday morning in Providence District Court.

The 70-year-old was found dead in his Cato Street home in Woonsocket on Jan. 30 with a garden shear in his neck. After being taken to Woonsocket Police HQ for questioning that night, Danielle told officers she was taking a nap upstairs at the time, and an altercation happened between her twin, Jennifer, and her father.

During that interview process, police said they noticed a fresh wound on Danielle’s palm, that matched one on Jennifer’s hand as well, but released her due to not having evidence to charge her.

Danielle’s twin sister, Jennifer, was first charged with murder in her father’s death and arraigned on Feb. 2. She remains behind bars.

In the weeks after Joseph Pamula’s death, prosecutors allege Danielle visited multiple mental health facilities, and while in one of them, an employee there reported to police that they believed Danielle may have been involved in her father’s death.

In subsequent interviews with police afterward, she originally took full responsibility for his death, but after being further questioned about the matching injuries with her sister, Danielle later admitted they both took part in killing their father.

Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas Oates said Danielle was arrested Thursday and had never been ruled out as a suspect prior to her arrest.

Danielle is being held without bail.