Providence man sentenced to state prison in murder of estranged wife where children found the deceased

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter Neronha announced today that a Providence man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to the Adult Correctional Institutions for killing his estranged wife, Maniriho Nkinamubanzi, in 2017.

At a hearing on Tuesday, Superior Court Justice Joseph Montalbano sentenced 53-year-old Bosco Tukamuhabwa to 60 years, with 45 years to serve at the ACI, and the balance suspended with probation. On June 4, 2024, following the conclusion of an 11-day trial, a jury found guilty of one count of domestic second-degree murder and one count of domestic criminal violation of a No Contact Order.

“Domestic abusers perpetuate a cycle of control and violence, which can unfortunately escalate into irreparable tragedy,” said Attorney General Neronha. “Ms. Nkinamubanzi deserved a to live a full life, free of the persistent threat of violence, and the defendant stole that from her. I hope this sentence brings Ms. Nkinamubanzi’s children some measure of peace and closure. And as always, I want to thank my attorneys and the Providence Police Department for their hard work on this case and so many others.”

During the trial, the State proved that Tukamuhabwa murdered Maniriho Nkinamubanzi, bludgeoning and stabbing her to death in her home.

On November 9, 2017, the victim’s children reported their mother missing to Providence Police. The following day, while searching the apartment for clues as to their mother’s whereabouts, the children discovered their deceased mother in a bedroom closet. Police immediately responded to the scene where investigators identified signs of blunt force trauma and multiple stab wounds on her body, as well as blood spatter on the wall outside of the closet.

A forensic analysis of Tukamuhabwa’s cell phone placed him in the vicinity of the victim’s home at the time of her murder. Additionally, the Department of Health tested a combined 19 items from the crime scene and Tukamuhabwa’s residence, including several bloodstained items containing DNA from both the defendant and the victim.

Tukamuhabwa’s contact with the victim violated a No Contact Order issued in April 2017 after an incident of physical violence.

“The Providence Police Department works tirelessly to bring to justice those who commit senseless acts of violence such as this one,” said Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez, Jr. “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.”

Assistant Attorneys General Timothy Healy and Meghan McDonough of the Office of the Attorney General and Detectives Angelo A’Vant and Jimmy Clift of the Providence Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.