A Rhode Island man wanted for the murder of his wife died in a vehicle crash during a police pursuit Saturday, ABC News reported.
Authorities have identified Joseph Francis as a suspect in the shooting death of his wife, Stephanie Francis, who was found gunshot dead in their Hopkinton, Rhode Island, home. according to Police said they issued an arrest warrant on Friday and that Westerly police noticed Francis driving and tried to stop him, but he fled, they told ABC News.
Police from Richmond and Charlestown then joined the pursuit. The pursuit ended when Francis's car was unable to make a turn and rolled over several times, coming to a stop near a forest. According to the media, officers found Francis' body inside the car. Prior to this incident, Francis had been charged with assault and criminal damage in May following a domestic dispute with his wife.
Rhode Island man dies during police pursuit after suspected of murdering his wife. https://t.co/dRS1O3lVSF pic.twitter.com/sRtReSMtkj
— Boston.com (@BostonDotCom) July 8, 2024
The charges include criminal trespass, domestic violence and simple domestic assault. Police also seized two handguns and several loaded high-capacity magazines from Francis, violating a state law banning high-capacity magazines, ABC News reported. As a result of these incidents, a court order was obtained banning Francis from contacting his wife. (RELATED: Video shows intense police pursuit end after woman crashes head-on into multiple vehicles)
According to ABC News, the investigation by local police aims to bring Francis to justice for murder during the deadly chase.
