BREAKING: Second murder arrest in death of Bristol woman

Eudora Gustafson was found dead in her home Feb. 10

EastBayRI.com ·

Police have arrested a second person in connection with the death of a Bristol woman in February, Police Chief Josue Canario announced Monday afternoon.

Selena Martinez, 21, of 34 Sowams Drive in Bristol, the site of the killing, is charged with murder after "DNA evidence linking Martinez to the death of Eudora Gustafson was found upon forensic testing being completed," police announced in a release Monday. The State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force took Ms. Martinez into custody in Exeter Sunday and brought her to Bristol to face murder charges. On Monday, she was remanded to the ACI pending her next court appearance scheduled for April 17.

Ms. Martinez is the girlfriend of Ramond Paiva, 24, of the same address, who has also been charged with murder. Mr. Paiva is Ms. Gustafson's grandson. The couple had been living in her home, along with her husband, Mark Gustafson.

READ ALSO: Bristol man remembers ‘true love’ Eudora Gustafson

The couple was arrested the night of Ms. Gustafson's death, Feb. 10, after a chace and subsequent shooting by Providence Police. Both were wounded and treated at Rhode Island Hospital, and Mr. Paiva has been remanded to the ACI.

On Feb. 10, Mr. Gustafson called police after coming home to find his wife unresponsive. Officers arrived at 34 Sowams Drive just before 7 p.m. to find Ms. Gustafson dead on the scene. Mr. Gustafson reportedly found checks, jewelry, prescription drugs, and his wife’s car were missing Friday night.

Bristol Police issued a bulletin for the car, which Providence Police found later Friday. Providence officers reportedly fired on Mr. Paiva and Ms. Martinez after a brief chase. Both were hit and hospitalized, according to reports. No weapon has been reported to have been in the couple's possession.

Providence Police Sgt. Curt Desautels and Officer Taylor Brito reportedly perceived a threat when approaching the car and fired multiple times each, Providnce Police have said. Mr. Paiva was reportedly hit multiple times and brought to RI Hospital in critical condition. Ms. Martinez was treated and released into police custody.

Previously, Ms. Martinez was charged with five crimes in Providence, three of them felonies, including possessing a stolen vehicle and receiving stolen goods, according Amy Kempe in Attorney General Peter Kilmartin's office. Ms. Martinez was released on $10,000 personal recognizance and remains under investigation for her potential role in the Bristol homicide, Ms. Kempe said.

Chief Canario did not specify the DNA evidence investigators unvocered, and the state Medical Examiner's Office has yet to release details, including the cause of death, though Ms. Gustafson was reportedly strangled.

 

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