Pregnant woman’s death investigated as homicide

By Daniel Kittredge
Posted 11/18/15

The death of a pregnant woman in a fire is being investigated as a homicide, according to police, and the search continues for a man observed running from the scene.

According to Chief of Police …

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Pregnant woman’s death investigated as homicide

Posted

The death of a pregnant woman in a fire is being investigated as a homicide, according to police, and the search continues for a man observed running from the scene.

According to Chief of Police Col. Michael J. Winquist, fire personnel responding to reports of a blaze at 35/57 Marcy St. shortly before 8 p.m. on Nov. 13 discovered the body of 32-year-old Arliss Collins on the third floor of the three-story apartment building. She was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where she and her unborn child were pronounced deceased.

Witnesses told police that after the blaze began, they saw a man leave the apartment building and run north on Marcy Street. He is described as a black male, weighing approximately 240 pounds, wearing an orange- or red-hooded sweatshirt and black shorts.

The blaze was contained to the third floor and extinguished. Police said Collins was a tenant of the apartment in which she was found and lived with a roommate. No one else was injured, nor were the other apartments damaged.

Police have released few other details. On Monday evening, the property remained taped off, with two Cranston police vehicles in the driveway.

Winquist’s release states the scene is being processed with assistance from the Rhode Island State Police Criminal Identification Unit, and the medical examiner’s office will conduct an autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death.

“Due to the suspicious nature of the fire and death, Cranston Police Detectives are investigating the incident as a possible homicide pending further determination by the Rhode Island State Medical Examiner’s Office,” the release states. “Investigators from the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Cranston Fire Department, as well as prosecutors from the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General are assisting with the investigation.”

Those with information regarding the matter is asked to contact Cranston Detective John Cardone at 401-477-5047 or Detective Michael Iacone at 401-500-6582. Anonymous tips may be submitted through the department’s website, cranstonpoliceri.com.

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