Details have surfaced regarding the brutal killing of a pregnant woman, whose disfigured body was discovered in a wooded area, as revealed by her family and law enforcement officials.
A total of eight individuals are now being charged in connection with the death of Erica Bader; five are facing charges related to murder and kidnapping, while the other three are charged with kidnapping, conspiracy, and failure to report a death.
During an interview with WJAR through lawandcrime.com, Erica’s stepmother, Crystal Smith, expressed, “They took her life and the life of the baby… They should feel ashamed of their actions.” According to Erica’s family, the 24-year-old was assaulted, sexually violated, and murdered in Central Falls, Rhode Island. Her remains were discovered in Pawtucket’s woods on October 27.
The individuals accused of murder have been identified as Andrew Cornell, 28; Joshua Brunelle, 35; Elizabeth Durand, 41; Stephanie Bletzer, 37; and Brittney Terpening, 34. The remaining suspects are Christopher Kordalewski, 22; Joanne Miller, 26; and Cheryl Blakely, 36.
Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera stated in a message to local media outlets, “The tragic events surrounding Erica are deeply saddening and horrifying. My heartfelt sympathies go out to her family, friends, and all who cherished her. No family should ever endure such agony or sorrow.”
Stepmother Crystal additionally informed WJAR that Erica had no prior acquaintance with her alleged assailants until she began residing with them in a residence in Central Falls. “They were complete strangers to her,” Crystal remarked. The family asserted that Erica had suffered abuse at the residence and attempted to leave but was coerced to stay by the suspects. “She made an escape attempt once, but was unsuccessful,” Crystal claimed. “They forcibly brought her back into the house and essentially kept her captive.”
Law enforcement officials have not disclosed the specifics of Bader’s death, but her family contends that she was assaulted and sexually violated before being murdered and left in the wooded area.
A welfare check was conducted at the Central Falls residence where Erica was living in April, but she was not found at the location. Subsequently, a search of the home in early November resulted in the removal of 46 cats and four dogs due to unsuitable living conditions, as per local authorities. “It’s heartbreaking for her to have been in a situation where she couldn’t escape,” Crystal expressed. “I hope they are never released.”
This incident follows the discovery of a deceased pregnant woman in a woodland, just days away from giving birth, with authorities now seeking her missing baby.
Rebecca Park vanished after leaving her mother’s residence on the night of November 4, when she was 38 weeks pregnant. Witnesses indicated that the 22-year-old was last seen entering the passenger side of a dark-colored vehicle outside the property, after which all communication ceased.
Her phone was subsequently found discarded near her mother’s home. Several weeks later, Rebecca’s body was located nearly 50 miles from her last known whereabouts. Tragically, an autopsy revealed the absence of her baby. Police continue their search for the infant.