21-year-old found dead inside Cranston home; mother hospitalized

Cranston woman found dead, mother hospitalized as police investigate

CRANSTON, R.I. — A Cranston woman was found dead Monday morning while her mother was hospitalized after being discovered injured inside their apartment, prompting police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.

According to the Cranston Police Department, officers responded to 51 Kingwood Ave. at approximately 8:37 a.m. after the property’s owner called 911 to report water leaking into the basement.

When the owner entered the first-floor apartment to investigate, he found the 62-year-old female tenant suffering from what police described as apparent self-inflicted lacerations.

Cranston police officers and firefighters responded to the scene and provided emergency medical care. The woman was then taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where she remains in stable condition.

While conducting a protective sweep of the apartment, officers discovered the woman’s 21-year-old daughter dead in a separate bedroom.

Investigators said the cause and manner of the young woman’s death were not immediately apparent. Police also confirmed the mother and daughter were the only people living in the apartment.

The home, located across the street from Peters Elementary School, remained an active crime scene throughout Monday.

Detectives with the Cranston Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation executed a court-authorized search warrant while investigators from the Rhode Island Office of the State Medical Examiners examined the scene.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the 21-year-old woman’s cause and manner of death.

The investigation remains ongoing. Police said they cannot yet determine whether foul play was involved. However, investigators do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public.

Because of the investigation, the Peters PTO postponed its Midsummer Meet-Up fundraiser that had been scheduled for Monday evening. The event has been rescheduled for Monday, Aug. 3, at 5:30 p.m.

Authorities have not released the identity of the 21-year-old woman, and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cranston Police Department as the investigation continues.