Jury Finds Louis Coleman Guilty In 2019 Jassy Correia Kidnapping Case

BOSTON — A federal jury found the man accused of kidnapping and killing 23-year-old Jassy Correia in 2019 guilty Wednesday.

Louis Coleman III, now 32, of Providence, RI, was charged with one count of kidnapping, resulting in death. That federal charge carries a potential life sentence and is also death-penalty eligible.

During the second day of deliberations at Boston's John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse Wednesday, the jury returned the guilty verdict.

Correia has a daughter, Gabriella, who was only two years old at the time of her mother's death, Correia's family said.

Coleman is accused of kidnapping the young mother from outside the Boston nightclub Venu in February 2019, where she was waiting for an Uber after spending the night out with friends celebrating her 23rd birthday. Her case — just weeks after another Boston woman was kidnapped — garnered national attention and set off a multi-state manhunt.

According to surveillance footage from early Sunday morning Feb. 24, 2019, Correia was last seen standing on the sidewalk when a man approached her and led her to a car parked nearby, at one point stopping to carry her on his shoulders.

An all-out search for Correia ensued, and investigators worked to find a person of interest. Eventually, police released surveillance footage from Coleman's apartment on Chestnut Street in Providence, allegedly showing him carrying a body matching the description of Correia from his car to his apartment.

Correia's body was found five days later inside a suitcase in the trunk of Coleman's car while he was driving on I-95 in Delaware. U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said police found her body naked, bound, bruised, and covered in what was believed to be covered in baking soda.

Lelling said it appears Correia died from blunt force trauma and strangulation and there is probable cause that Coleman killed her. Coleman had a scratch on his face that he told authorities came from her, according to Lelling.

Coleman has pled not guilty to the charge of kidnapping resulting in death. His defense attorneys claim Correia's death was the result of a physical fight between the two parties inside his vehicle, citing Correia as the aggressor.

READ MORE:

• Jassy Correia Missing: Police Searching For Person Of Interest (Feb. 27)
• Police ID Rhode Island Man As Suspect in Jassy Kidnapping
• Louis Coleman Arrested In Delaware (Feb. 28)
• Police Arrest Main Suspect In Jassy Correia's Kidnapping, Murder(Feb. 28)
• Coleman To Face Charges In Rhode Island (March 1)
• More Details Emerge About Louis Coleman And What Was Found In His Home (March 3)