Pregnant Rhode Island mother allegedly murdered by her boyfriend remembered as sweet, kind, as advocates aim to keep the conversation going on domestic violence

A woman allegedly killed by her boyfriend is being remembered as advocates push for the conversation on domestic violence to continue.

29-year-old Gabriela (Gabby) Vallejo was found dead from multiple stab wounds to her neck on Thursday inside the Glenark Mills Apartments on Sayles Street.

Her boyfriend, 30-year-old William Santiago Ramos, has been charged with Domestic Violence – Murder – 1st Degree, Sexual Offender – Failure to Notify of Change in Address, and Obstructing Officer in Execution of Duty.

Court records show that at Friday’s arraignment, Ramos did not enter a plea and was held without bail.

Vallejo, who was pregnant, is also the mother of a young child.

Times² Academy, a charter school in Providence, issued a statement revealing that Vallejo was a student there.

“The TIMES Squared Community is heartbroken to hear of the tragic passing of Alumni Gabriela Vallejo. Gabby was a sweet person with the biggest smile and laugh when a classmate needed it. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family, and daughter as they navigate this tough time. Once an Eagle always an Eagle.”

Others that knew Vallejo described her as kind with an amazing personality.

Sojourner House CEO, Vanessa Volz wants the conversation on domestic violence and funding to continue after Vallejo’s death is no longer in the headlines.

“Over the last ten years, more than sixty domestic violence homicides have occurred in the state of Rhode Island.

“Following each of those tragedies, there was a period of public mourning; a time where the issue of domestic violence was deemed newsworthy enough to discuss on news stations and in statehouse chambers.

“But in a media landscape that values fast-reactive journalism over slow, deep, and reflective reporting; news cycles are short. And soon enough, we forget.

“Earlier this week, a 29-year old pregnant woman was murdered by her boyfriend in their Woonsocket apartment. Right now, her name– Gabriela Vallejo– is being shared by every major news outlet in the state.

“Everyone’s hearts are broken– ours included.

“As a victim services agency with a fifty year history, we’re painfully aware that domestic violence can be lethal. It’s why we conduct risk assessments as part of our intake process, why we prioritize safety planning when clients are looking to exit abuse, and why we’ve fought tooth and nail to expand our housing programs so that those in crisis aren’t faced with a closed door.

“We do not have the luxury of forgetting. We work with Rhode Islanders every day who are in extremely dangerous situations. We know the risks they face– know that their chance of being murdered is far greater if their abuser has access to a firearm, has strangled them in the past, or has expressed suicidal ideation. 

“If we truly do not want to see another tragedy like we have in Woonsocket, we have to take prevention seriously. We can’t only care in bite-sized windows after violence occurs. We need to hold firm to this belief that victims of abuse deserve access to support, and when we have the opportunity to invest in services that can save lives, take it.

“No one should have to face abuse alone, and we should all know that domestic violence is not inevitable. With awareness, intervention, and accessible support, lives can be changed — indeed, lives can be saved.”