Rhode Island man enters no plea, held without bail, after arrest in missing person, death, of Charlotte Lester

A local man has been charged in a missing person case that has garnered national attention.

According to Warwick Police, on Sunday, Officers of the Warwick Police Department learned of new information regarding the two-and-a-half-year, ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of missing person, 45-year-old Charlotte Lester of Warwick.

On Wednesday, at approximately 9:15 a.m., officers executed an arrest warrant based on this newly developed information and successfully took 64-year-old Mark Perkins of Staples Avenue, Warwick, into custody without incident at Cumberland Farms on Post Road.

Perkins has been charged with First Degree Murder.

Lester’s body was located in Exter after a hunter located evidence, however, the exact location wasn’t released.

Lester and Perkins were previously companions, according to authorities.

At his arraignment Wednesday in Kent County District Court, Perkins was held without bail pending a hearing. He did not enter a plea.

Lester was last seen on the evening of Monday, May 16, 2022, in the area of Arnold’s Neck Drive and Staples Avenue in Warwick.

On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, Charlotte’s beloved dog Chloe was found abandoned in the area of Elmwood Avenue.

Lester’s vehicle, a Red 2006 Toyota Tacoma, was discovered days later in the parking lot of Kent Hospital, 455 Toll Gate Road, Warwick, RI.

Anyone who has information that may contribute to this investigation, regardless of its significance, is encouraged to contact the Warwick Police Department, at 401-468-4200 and request to speak with Detective Parmenter.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to the department by downloading the Warwick PD app on your Android/Apple device and selecting “Submit a Tip”. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by using a third-party system called Tips411. To use Tips411, simply text your information to 847411.