Rhode Island mother believed to be killed in domestic homicide remembered for big heart

A Rhode Island woman recently fatally shot is being remembered.

The Rhode Island State Police announced Sunday that on Friday, at just after 11:45 p.m., the Hopkinton Police Department requested State Police assistance with a potential homicide investigation at a residence on Stubtown Road, Hopkinton, Rhode Island. A deceased female identified as 44-year-old Stephanie Francis was located inside the residence from an apparent gunshot wound.

Based on the investigation, Detectives identified the suspect as 45-year-old Joseph Francis the estranged husband of Stephanie Francis. An arrest warrant was obtained for Joseph Francis for Domestic Violence – Murder, and Domestic Violence- Violation of No Contact Order. A BOLO was broadcast to all law enforcement agencies informing them of the warrant, the vehicle Francis operates, and that Francis should be considered armed and dangerous. 

On Saturday, at just after 10:45 a.m., Joseph Francis was observed by members of the Westerly Police Department operating his black Chevrolet Suburban on Route 1 North near the intersection of Route 78. Despite multiple attempts to stop Francis, he evaded law enforcement.

At just after 11:30 a.m., Francis’s black Chevrolet Suburban was once again observed by members of law enforcement on Route 2 North in the Town of Charlestown and officers from the Richmond and Charlestown Police Departments attempted to stop the vehicle. As Francis attempted to flee, he began to travel west on Dawley Park Road at a high rate of speed. He failed to negotiate the turn at the intersection of Dawley Park Road and Nooseneck Hill Road and traveled west across both northbound lanes of Nooseneck Hill Road, subsequently rolling the vehicle over and coming to rest on its roof in the wood line.

Considering Francis to be armed and dangerous, Charlestown and Richmond officers on the scene maintained their position until the Rhode Island State Police Tactical Team affirmed the safety of the scene. Upon approach, Francis was found to be inside the vehicle and medical personnel pronounced him deceased. The cause of death is pending autopsy results.

Stephanie Francis worked at the Wood River Bar & Grill in Wyoming, RI, and they took to social media to express their sorrow.

“Words can’t express how saddened our Wood River Bar & Grill family is to hear of our friend and server Stephanie’s tragic passing. Our deepest condolences go out to Stephanies two children…. and to all of Stephanies family and friends. Our hearts are broken!!!!”

Those who knew Stephanie described her as a beautiful and caring soul with a huge heart.

Services have yet to be announced.