In a quiet home on Cheyenne Trail in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, the life of 2-year-old Felix Arruda, a Caucasian male, was tragically cut short on January 3, 2025. The devastating event unfolded within the walls of his own home, where he was found deceased alongside his 5-year-old sister, Adel, and their 39-year-old mother, Danielle Arruda, who was seven months pregnant.
All three had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
The horrific discovery was made after Danielle's concerned coworkers requested a wellness check when she failed to appear for work for two consecutive days. Police officers, upon arriving at the residence, found the family's vehicles in the driveway and were compelled to force entry after receiving no response. Inside, they encountered a grim scene with the bodies of the two children and their parents. The house was secured from the inside with a chain lock, indicating no one had exited after the incident.
Authorities identified the father, 39-year-old Nicholas Arruda, as the suspect in the triple murder-suicide. It was determined that Nicholas shot his wife and two young children with a semi-automatic weapon before turning the gun on himself. He was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, and the firearm was discovered near his body.
The motive behind the appalling act remains a mystery to investigators. Friends and family described Nicholas and Danielle as a loving couple who cherished their children. Police had no prior contact with the family at their West Greenwich home. However, it was noted that Nicholas Arruda had a previous domestic violence arrest in 2014, although his wife was not the victim in that case. The community was left in shock and mourning, with a makeshift memorial of flowers appearing outside the family's home.
