On a tragic December day in 2019, the community of Westerly, Rhode Island, was shaken by the untimely death of Julie Lynn Cardinal, a 47-year-old Caucasian woman known for her vibrant spirit and dedication to her family and community. On December 19th, while at her job as an office manager at the Babcock Village apartment complex, her life was cut short in an act of violence that also left two other women injured.
The gunman, identified as 66-year-old Joseph Giachello, a resident of the housing complex, turned the gun on himself after the shooting.
Julie was a beloved mother of four and was deeply involved in her community. She was remembered as a fierce advocate for what she believed in, having played a pivotal role in the fight to allow women to become full members of the Westerly Yacht Club in 2016. Her efforts on this front led to her being recognized as one of the toughest women in Rhode Island. Friends and family described her as a loving mother, a hard worker, and a person with a big heart who was always talking about her children.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Westerly community rallied together, offering an outpouring of support for Julie's family. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist with funeral expenses, and a celebration of her life was held at the Westerly Yacht Club, a place where she had made a significant impact. While the motive for the shooting remained under investigation, the loss of Julie Lynn Cardinal left a profound void in the hearts of those who knew her. The suspect, Joseph Giachello, died at the scene, and therefore no arrests were made in connection with her death.
