Swansea Homicide Investigation; Man Charged

Swansea Police, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to this office and Homicide Unit prosecutors are currently investigating a homicide, which took place in the Town of Swansea during the overnight hours this morning.

Swansea Police received multiple 911 calls regarding a shooting on the roadway in the area of 356 Ocean Grove Ave. this morning around 1:35 a.m.  Upon arrival at the scene, police and paramedics found the victim lying in the street with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. The victim, later identified as Melissa J. White, 23, of Swansea, was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence where she pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The initial investigation has led to the arrest of Timothy R. Levesque, 56, of Swansea. Mr. Levesque will be arraigned Monday morning in Fall River District Court on charges of murder, and assault and battery. Mr. Levesque was taken into custody at the scene and was arrested without incident.

The Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy.

The investigation is being coordinated by Assistant District Attorney Dennis Collins, who will also be handling tomorrow morning’s arraignment.

Since the investigation remains active at this time and the defendant has yet to be arraigned in open court, no further details on the case can be disseminated at this time. More information on the investigation and the incident will be discussed in open court tomorrow.

 

Contact:

Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—after hours