State - Local Police Investigate Domestic Murder In Hopkinton

Rhode Island State Police confirming that they continue to investigate what appears to be a domestic homicide that began Friday night.

Troopers say Hopkinton Police called troopers for help with a domestic murder case on Stubtown Road.

Police say they found 44-year-old Stephanie Francis dead from a gunshot wound. At that point police identified a suspect, 45-year-old Joseph Francis who police say was the estranged husband.

Police obtained a warrant and began the process of trying to make an arrest. But they were unsuccessful.

A short time later, police in Charlestown spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted an arrest. The suspect vehicle fled.

It wasn’t until the chase entered Nooseneck Hill Road, and at a high rate of speed, that the car went out of control and flipped over, coming to an rest in a wooded area.

Joseph Francis was dead at the scene. An autopsy is being conducted.

Police are expected to release further details when the autopsy is complete.

(Photo by MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)

Photo: MARK RALSTON / AFP / Getty Images


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