63-year-old Rhode Island man convicted in violent murder of 65-year-old woman

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter Neronha announced today that an Exeter man has been found guilty in Washington County Superior Court for the murder of his roommate, 65-year-old Donna MacDonald, in 2022. 

On Monday, following a 7-day jury trial before Superior Court Justice Maureen Keough, a jury found 63-year-old Ramsundar Ramkalawan guilty of one count of first-degree murder.

“Donna’s life was tragically cut short by this defendant’s senseless fit of rage, and her loss will forever be felt deeply by her family, friends, and community,” said Attorney General Neronha. “While nothing can undo what happened, it is my hope that this verdict will bring some measure of peace to Donna’s loved ones. I am grateful to the jury for getting this right, and to the Rhode Island State Police for their partnership during the investigation and prosecution of this case.”

During the trial, the State proved that Ramkalawan murdered Donna MacDonald. 

On July 18, 2022, Ramkalawan and his two roommates, Donna MacDonald and her son, began arguing in their Exeter apartment before all three tenants returned to their respective rooms. Moments later, Ramkalawan put on a pair of gloves, went into the victim’s room, and hit her in the head with a rock eight times.

Several hours later, Ramkalawan entered a gas station below the apartment and reported that his roommate was unresponsive. Rhode Island State Police responded to the apartment and found the victim deceased.

Investigators obtained video surveillance footage from the building which showed Ramkalawan leaving the apartment multiple times to discard items into the dumpster. Police recovered gloves and a rock containing DNA profiles that matched those of both the victim and the defendant. Ramkalawan was later interviewed and admitted to assaulting the victim with a rock.

“I commend the troopers of the Rhode Island State Police, in partnership with the Attorney General’s Office, for their investigation and prosecution of this case,” said Rhode Island State Police Colonel Darnell S. Weaver. “I am grateful that with this verdict, we will hold the defendant accountable for his horrific actions.”

Assistant Attorney General Mark Trovato and Special Assistant Attorney General Mikala Morrison of the Attorney General’s Office and Corporal Robert Hopkins and Sergeant Herbert Tilson of the Rhode Island State Police led the investigation and prosecution of the case.