Rhode Island Man Accused of Killing Wife Dies in Police Car Chase

A 45-year-old man wanted in connection to the shooting death of a Hopkinton, Rhode Island woman was killed on Saturday, July 6 while attempting to flee police.

Police investigating the July 5 fatal shooting of 44-year-old Stephanie Francis obtained an arrest for her estranged husband Joseph Francis, 45, and issued an all-points bulletin to state law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for the suspect.

Officers from the Westerly Police Department reported spotting Francis’ black Chevy Suburban on Route 1 North on the morning of Saturday, July 6, but when the officers attempted to pull Francis over, he refused to comply.

Less than an hour later, officers from the Charlestown and Richmond Police Departments caught up with the suspect while he was traveling on Route 2 North in Charlestown but Francis again refused to stop and a police chase ensued.

The suspect attempted to evade the police by speeding west on Dawley Park Road but when he arrived at the intersection with Nooseneck Hill, he failed to turn. Instead, Francis continued west across the northbound lanes of Nooseneck Hill, causing his vehicle to roll over onto the roof.

Richmond and Charlestown police officers secured the scene and waited for the Rhode Island State Police Tactical Team to confirm that it was safe to approach the Suburban.

When officers arrived at the vehicle, they found Francis unresponsive inside. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Hopkinton Police, Francis had a history of domestic abuse against his estranged wife before he allegedly shot her to death on July 5. He was already facing charges of domestic violence, disorderly conduct, and domestic simple assault in connection to an incident in May when he allegedly shoved Stephanie Francis and smashed her phone.

Francis was also charged with violating Rhode Island’s ban on high-capacity magazines after police found several loaded magazines and two handguns when they responded to the domestic incident call.

A restraining order was issued preventing Francis from having contact with his estranged wife.