On a tragic summer day in Providence, Rhode Island, 32-year-old Arien Desiree Daly's life was cut short. On August 22, 2015, she was found deceased in what law enforcement officials determined to be a murder-suicide. The grim discovery was made in the apartment of her 37-year-old ex-boyfriend, Joshua Butler, located at the Dexter Manor complex. Police believe that at some point over that weekend, Butler shot and killed Daly before taking his own life.
Authorities investigating the scene
discovered a shotgun and a note left by Butler. The contents of the note have not been made public, leaving the specific motivations behind the tragic events unclear. According to those close to Daly, she and Butler had been in a relationship for several years and had only recently broken up. The incident left friends, family, and the community to mourn the loss of a vibrant young woman.
Arien was remembered as a beautiful person both inside and out, with a passion for life and a deep care for others. She had worked for many years at AIDS Care Ocean State, where she was recognized for her dedication to HIV/AIDS prevention. A graduate of Classical High School, she had also attended Rhode Island College, studying Political Science and becoming a founding member of the Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority. Her love for nature, animals, and baking were well known to her loved ones. The senseless act of violence that ended her life left a void in the lives of many.
