JOHNSTON, R.I. (WHDH) — A Rhode Island man was in court Monday accused in the double murder of his ex-girlfriend and her daughter. The suspect is also accused of kidnapping the woman’s 2-year-old son.
“They were good people. They didn’t deserve this,” said Lucy Rivera, the victim’s God sister.
Friends said Evelyn Burgos, a mother of four, had been worried about her safety following a break up. That’s why her 25-year-old daughter, Vanessa Perez, was spending the night at her Johnston home. Both women were found shot to death. Three small children were in the house at the time.
“The day he removed his stuff I guess she had her locks changed and everything,” said Rivera.
Police arrested Burgos’ ex-boyfriend, Daniel Rodriguez, on Sunday morning, just hours after Burgos and Perez’s bodies were found. Rodriguez is accused of breaking into Burgos’ home and shooting them both. He’s also accused of abducting Burgos’ 2-year-old son, Isaiah Perez, which prompted a nationwide Amber Alert.
“The main focus of this endeavor was not only to find Isaiah, but to remove a violent fugitive from society,” said Chief Richard Tamburini of the Johnston, R.I. Police Department.
At first, police named Perez’s current boyfriend, Malcolm Crowell, as a suspect. Police now say he had no role in either crime. Instead, they said he gave information that helped them find Rodriguez and ultimately the missing child.
“Crowell cooperated fully with investigators and assisted us in locating Isaiah, the missing 2 year old,” said Tamburini.
On Sunday night a Providence patrolman spotted Isaiah wandering the city streets alone. Officers said the boy was unharmed, but family friends said he is hurting.
“Right now I don’t even think the boys realize their mother is dead. The little one keeps asking for his mother,” said Rivera.
Police said there is evidence Rodriguez broke into the home around 5 a.m. Sunday morning.