46-year-old Rhode Island man sentenced to prison for murdering his 29-year-old ex-girlfriend

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter Neronha announced Thursday in a release that a Cranston man has been sentenced in Providence Superior Court to serve life in prison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, 29-year-old Lauren Ise, in 2019.

Superior Court Justice Maureen Keough sentenced 46-year-old Michael Marrapese to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Judge Keough also deemed the defendant to be a habitual offender and imposed a consecutive 25-year sentence. On April 24, 2025, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of domestic first-degree murder.

“All too often, domestic abuse and violence serve as precursors to murder, and unfortunately this case is no exception,” said Attorney General Neronha. “This defendant consistently sought to exert control over Lauren, now her friends and family are left to pick up the pieces. While nothing can bring Lauren back, I hope they now feel some semblance of peace knowing justice has been served. I want to thank the Cranston Police Department and the prosecutors in my office for their hard work on this difficult case.”

Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that Marrapese murdered Ise, strangling her to death at her home.

On the morning of March 13, 2019, Cranston Police responded to 245 Bay View Avenue in Cranston after a friend of Marrapese reported that he had confessed to killing his ex-girlfriend, Ise, in her home. Upon arrival, police found Ise dead in her apartment.

Investigators soon learned that on February 15, 2019, Marrapese and Ise broke-up and Ise decided to move out. When Marrapese refused to allow Ise to collect her belongings, she called the police. He became irate, and police arrested him for disorderly conduct. The defendant was released but then arrested again the following day for an altercation with his landlord, and subsequently held as a bail violator until March 5, 2019.

During the early morning hours of March 12, 2019, Marrapese went to Ise’s apartment knocked on her windows, but Ise did not answer. Later around 6:00 a.m., he confronted one of her neighbors and asked whether Ise was dating anyone. Then on March 13, Marrapese returned to Ise’s apartment, murdered her, and drove to his friend’s house where he confessed to the murder. Police apprehended himt just after 11 a.m.

In Ise’s autopsy, the medical examiner recorded ligature marks around her neck. He also noted multiple abrasions, contusions, and lacerations to her face, several dislocated teeth, and defensive wounds to both hands. The cause of death was determined to be homicide by strangulation.

The Rhode Island Department of Health obtained a DNA profile from fingernail clippings obtained from Ise’s body which matched the defendant.

Prior to his arraignment, Marrapese confessed to the sheriffs escorting him to the courtroom.  In the days following his arraignment, the defendant made several phone calls and conducted in-person conversations with a friend, during which he confessed to killing Ise and shared details about her death that were not made public. 

“The Cranston Police Department works tirelessly to hold accountable those who perpetrate senseless acts of violence, such as this one,” said Colonel Michael Winquist, Cranston Police Chief. “I am thankful for the hard work of our detectives, as well as the Attorney General’s Office, throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case.”

Ise was remembered as a kind, big-hearted, fun-loving woman who adored her dog Jethro and loved her many friends.

Assistant Attorney General Bethany Laskowski and Special Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Burke of the Office of the Attorney General and Detective Michael Iacone and Sgt. Thomas Pariseault of the Cranston Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.