Central Falls, Rhode Island – A 24-year-old pregnant woman was allegedly kidnapped, assaulted, and murdered by a group of people she had recently met, according to her family and local police. The woman, identified as Erica Bader, was found mutilated in a wooded area late October, prompting one of Rhode Island’s most disturbing homicide cases in years.
Her grieving stepmother did not hold back when describing the brutality of the crime.
“They killed her and the baby,” Crystal Smith said during an emotional interview. “They should be ashamed of themselves for what they’ve done.”
Incident overview
Bader’s body was discovered on October 27 in a wooded section of Pawtucket, days after her family reported serious concerns about her safety. According to the family, she had been staying at a home in Central Falls with several individuals she barely knew. What began as temporary shelter quickly turned into captivity and abuse, relatives allege.
Authorities have since charged eight people in connection with the case.
Five suspects face murder and kidnapping charges, while three others have been charged with kidnapping-related offenses, conspiracy, and failure to report a death.
Local reporting from The Boston Globe provided the first public breakdown of the charges and identities.
Individuals charged
The five suspects charged with murder and kidnapping are:
- Andrew Cornell, 28
- Joshua Brunelle, 35
- Elizabeth Durand, 41
- Stephanie Bletzer, 37
- Brittney Terpening, 34
The three others facing related charges are:
- Christopher Kordalewski, 22
- Joanne Miller, 26
- Cheryl Blakely, 36
Officials say each played a role either in Bader’s captivity, her death, or the alleged attempts to conceal what happened to her.
Timeline leading up to the homicide
Bader’s family says she met the group only months before her death, describing them as “total strangers” who offered her a place to stay. According to her stepmother, that home became a place of violence and control.
“She didn’t know them,” Smith said. “They were like total strangers to her.”
Relatives allege that Bader was repeatedly abused at the residence and prevented from leaving.
“She tried to run away one time, she didn’t get far,” Smith said. “They dragged her in, pulled her in that house and held her hostage, basically.”
A welfare check was performed at the Central Falls home in April, but Erica was not present at that time. Police have not released a precise timeline pinpointing when she was killed.
Details from police and officials
Police have not publicly disclosed how Bader was killed, though the family says she was attacked, raped, mutilated, and murdered before being dumped in the woods. Officials confirmed that she was pregnant at the time of her death.
Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera issued a statement calling the case devastating.
“What happened to Erica is absolutely heartbreaking and horrific,” she said.
“My deepest condolences go to her family, her friends, and everyone who loved her. No family should ever experience this kind of pain or heartbreak.”
A search of the residence in early November uncovered 46 cats and four dogs, all removed due to severe neglect and unsafe living conditions.
What the family believes happened
While investigators continue examining evidence, Bader’s relatives insist she was held captive, assaulted repeatedly, and prevented from escaping.
“They killed her while she was pregnant,” said her aunt, Stephanie Bender.
Smith added that Erica feared the group and felt trapped.
“It’s sad for her to have been in a place where she couldn’t get away,” she said. “I hope they never get out.”
The family says they are speaking publicly to demand maximum penalties for every person involved.
Community reaction
The case has shaken residents in Central Falls and Pawtucket, two of Rhode Island’s most densely populated communities. Advocates say the homicide highlights the dangers faced by vulnerable women, especially those without stable housing or support systems.
Local outreach groups have urged city officials to increase mental-health support, crisis intervention services, and safe-housing options for women in unsafe environments.
Ongoing investigation
Police have not released further forensic details or the expected timeline for additional charges. Court documents indicate that each defendant played a role in the events leading up to Bader’s death, but the full picture may take months to assemble.
Investigators are also working to determine exact dates of injuries, the sequence of events inside the Central Falls home, and whether more individuals may have been involved.
Conclusion
As the legal process moves forward, Erica Bader’s family continues to push for justice—for both Erica and the unborn child she was carrying. Their hope is that the full truth comes out and that those responsible face the harshest consequences allowed by Rhode Island law.
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