The Unsolved Mystery: 5 Shocking Facts About The West Greenwich RI Murder-Suicide That Still Haunt The Community

The triple murder-suicide that shattered the quiet town of West Greenwich, Rhode Island, in early 2020 remains one of the state’s most profound and disturbing tragedies. On Friday, January 3, 2020, a routine welfare check at a seemingly normal home on Cheyenne Trail uncovered a horrific scene that claimed the lives of an entire family, including a pregnant mother and her two young children. This case, officially closed by law enforcement, is unique because its most crucial element—the motive—is still an enduring, painful mystery, leaving the community grappling with unimaginable questions even today, December 13, 2025.

The incident shocked not only the tight-knit community of West Greenwich, which had not recorded a homicide since 2016, but all of Rhode Island. The victims were a vibrant young family, and the sudden, violent end to their lives at the hands of the father has created a lasting legacy of grief and a renewed focus on the silent signs of domestic violence and mental health crises. The following is a detailed look at the Arruda family tragedy, the investigation, and the unresolved questions that define the case.

The Arruda Family: A Tragic Biography

The victims and the perpetrator were identified as members of the Arruda family, who lived at a residence on Cheyenne Trail in West Greenwich, Rhode Island.

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• Danielle Lynne Arruda (Victim): Aged 39, Danielle was a paralegal whose sudden absence from work triggered the welfare check that led to the discovery. She was seven months pregnant at the time of her death, meaning four lives were lost in the tragedy. She was known to her colleagues and friends as a dedicated professional and a loving mother.
• Adele Arruda (Victim): Aged 5, Adele was the eldest child.
• Felex Arruda (Victim): Aged 2, Felex was the youngest child.
• Brandon Arruda (Perpetrator/Deceased): Aged 39, Brandon was the husband and father. He was identified by the West Greenwich Police Department as the individual responsible for the murders of his wife and two children before taking his own life.

The Discovery: How the West Greenwich Tragedy Unfolded

The horrific details of the discovery began with a simple act of concern from Danielle Arruda’s workplace.

Welfare Check on Cheyenne Trail

On Friday, January 3, 2020, officers from the West Greenwich Police Department responded to the family home at 15 Cheyenne Trail for a wellness check. The check was initiated because Danielle Arruda, who worked as a paralegal, had failed to show up for work on both Thursday and Friday. The police arrived at approximately 10:30 a.m.

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The Gruesome Scene

Upon entering the residence, officers made the horrific discovery of four bodies. The investigation, led by West Greenwich Police Chief Richard Ramsay, quickly determined the incident to be a triple murder-suicide. Danielle Arruda, Adele Arruda, and Felex Arruda had all been shot to death. Brandon Arruda was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. An M4-type semi-automatic weapon was recovered at the scene and identified as the murder weapon. Chief Ramsay confirmed that all four family members died from gunshot wounds.

The Enduring Mystery: The Motive That May Never Be Known

Perhaps the most disturbing and lasting aspect of the West Greenwich murder-suicide is the complete lack of a discernible motive. This lack of a clear answer has created a deep sense of unease and a challenging environment for the community to find closure.

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No Prior Red Flags

Police Chief Richard Ramsay repeatedly stated that the West Greenwich Police Department had no prior contact with the Arruda family, and there were no previous indications of trouble or domestic violence at the residence. This fact is a critical, tragic detail, as it highlights how a domestic violence situation can escalate to the worst possible outcome without any external warning signs visible to law enforcement or even immediate neighbors.

The Final Conclusion

Despite a comprehensive investigation, authorities were unable to determine a motive for Brandon Arruda’s actions. Chief Ramsay’s public statement was stark: "We may never know why." This conclusion underscores a painful reality in many murder-suicide cases: the perpetrator, the only person who holds the key to the psychological trigger, is deceased, leaving behind an agonizing void for grieving relatives and the wider community. The lack of a motive forces the public to confront the possibility of sudden, inexplicable violence within a seemingly normal family dynamic.

The Legacy: Community Response and Domestic Violence Awareness

In the wake of the tragedy, the West Greenwich community and the state of Rhode Island mobilized to support the victims' extended family and raise awareness about domestic violence and mental health support.

Outpouring of Grief and Support

The community mourned the loss of the pregnant mother and her two young children. A GoFundMe campaign was quickly established to assist the extended family with funeral and memorial costs, demonstrating a widespread desire to help in the face of overwhelming grief. The loss was felt deeply across Rhode Island, prompting agencies to speak out against the horrifying act of family annihilation.

A Call for Resources and Vigilance

The Arruda case, like all family annihilation incidents, served as a grim reminder of the need for accessible domestic violence resources. Even without a documented history of abuse, experts emphasize the importance of awareness and early intervention for mental health issues and relationship distress. The following organizations in Rhode Island offer critical, confidential support:

• Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV): A network of member agencies providing comprehensive emergency and support services to victims of domestic and sexual violence.
• Crossroads Rhode Island: Offers comprehensive trauma-informed services, including a 24-hour crisis hotline and emergency shelter for survivors.
• Women's Resource Center: Provides support, shelter, advocacy, and education to end domestic violence in Rhode Island.
• Law Enforcement Advocates (LEAs): Every police department in Rhode Island has a Law Enforcement Advocate available to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, providing a direct link between law enforcement and victim services.

The West Greenwich murder-suicide remains a somber chapter in Rhode Island's history, a case where a family was lost and the reason why remains locked in silence. The investigation’s conclusion is final, but the human curiosity and the community’s need for understanding continue, ensuring the Arruda family is not forgotten and fueling ongoing efforts to prevent similar tragedies.