Police release more details in Rhode Island murder suicide that killed pregnant mother, two young children, husband

Authorities released more details Wednesday morning concerning the deaths of a family of 4 in Rhode Island.

According to Police Chief Richard Ramsay, at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Friday, officers responded to Cheyenne Trail in West Greenwich for a wellbeing check on a female who had not reported to work.

Officers found suspicious circumstances at the home and had to force entry into the locked house. Once inside, they located four bodies in the home. All had suffered fatal gunshot wounds. 

39-year-old Danielle Arruda, the owner of the home who was 7 months pregnant, her two young children (5 and 2), and husband 39-year-old Nicholas Arruda were all found deceased.

The investigation revealed that Nicholas killed his wife and two young children by multiple gunshot wounds with a semi-automatic M4 style weapon before turning the gun on himself.

Danielle Arruda was a paralegal for Marinosci Law Group in Warwick.

Police say Danielle was last known to be alive on January 1st when she purchased pellets for her stove.

All indications are that the couple loved each other and their children.

2 other guns were located in the home. All three were believed to be purchased legally.

The father was homeschooling both children.

Chief Ramsay stated that they may never know what led to the murder-suicide and police had no prior responses to the home that was purchased in 2019.

Services have not yet been announced.