In the spring of 2018, a quiet street in Warwick, Rhode Island, became the scene of a tragedy that cut short the life of 54-year-old Donna Dutton, a White/Caucasian female. On the morning of April 7th, a friend made a grim discovery at the home on 128 Fern Street, finding Donna and her roommate, 58-year-old Joseph E. Schlink, deceased inside. The subsequent police investigation would reveal a story of deteriorating relations that culminated in a violent end.
Donna had only been living at
the residence for about a month, renting a room from Schlink. In the weeks leading up to their deaths, tensions between the two had escalated to the point that police were called to the home on two separate occasions in March. Despite these prior disputes, no arrests were made. Friends of Schlink, a military veteran, later reported that he had been grappling with mental health issues and had expressed suicidal thoughts.
The investigation by the Warwick Police concluded that the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide. It is believed that Schlink shot Donna once before turning the gun on himself. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Donna in the kitchen with a single gunshot wound. Schlink was discovered in the living area. A. 22 caliber semi-automatic rifle was recovered from the scene.
Those who knew Donna described her as a joyful person who found happiness in her church community and hobbies like knitting and crocheting. A mother to an adult son, she was also one of seven siblings. Her life was violently ended by her roommate, who then took his own life, leaving friends and family to mourn the sudden and tragic loss. The incident left the community in shock and served as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic disputes. No arrests were made as the sole suspect was also deceased.
