Police in Rhode Island has arrested a man after discovering his girlfriend's body in the kitchen refrigerator of their apartment.
According to the Boston Globe, Nathan Cooper, 53, was charged with murder and other firearm-related offenses in connection with the death of his girlfriend. Investigators discovered the corpse of Sherbert "Strawberry" Maddox, 40, inside his Parkis Avenue home on Tuesday morning, where they suspect she had been held for many days following her death, according to authorities in Providence, Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Woman Found Dead in Freezer
Maddox was shot and kept in the refrigerator after being covered in blankets and plastic. A worried relative informed authorities about the corpse, according to Providence Police Major David Lapatin. At about 2:30 a.m., investigators arrived at the residence in the Elmwood area.
According to The Providence Journal, Cooper was at the house where they seized a 38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver as evidence, which they suspect was used in the murder. A rifle was also taken from the residence. Court documents said Cooper was arrested and charged with first-degree domestic violence murder, possession of a stolen handgun, and carrying a firearm without a permit.
Family members stated Maddox did not live in the house where her corpse was discovered. However, Detective Lapatin told Oxygen.com, "They lived there together." According to the journal, authorities suspect Maddox was slain as early as Sunday afternoon and that Cooper had "violent inclinations." Lapatin said that there had been no accusations of domestic violence between the couple to police.
Cooper has a long history of criminal offenses extending back to 1989, including a number of assaults, drug charges, no-contact orders breaches, and domestic violence charges (including domestic strangling) against a former partner, according to court documents.
Victim's Family Fumes on Suspect in Courtroom
The suspect appeared in court on Wednesday for his arraignment, but the proceedings were halted as the defendant sobbed and tried to control his emotions in the courtroom. Cooper couldn't keep his composure long enough to identify himself by name, as shown in footage from the Boston Globe.
Maddox's sister hurled profanities at the defendant in the courtroom, accusing Cooper of placing Maddox in a freezer. On March 23, family members gathered in a courthouse to watch Cooper meet with a judge, and some couldn't hold back their tears.
From Tuesday to Wednesday, a memorial for Maddox had grown significantly in size. Family and friends came to remember a life that was taken short.
When asked whether he knew of a probable cause of the crime, detective Lapatin said that it "could be anything." Nathan Cooper is being held without bail. According to court records, he hasn't made a plea or been scheduled to appear in court. Cooper does not appear to have engaged legal counsel, as per The Sun.
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