Bristol Man Sentenced For Murdering Grandmother For Drug Money

BRISTOL, RI — A Bristol man was sentenced to state prison after he admitted he smothered his grandmother to death with a pillow and robbed her to get money to buy heroin, Attorney General Peter Neronha said Tuesday.

Raymond Paiva, 30, received a 60-year sentence, 40 of which will be served at the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. The remaining 20 years is a suspended sentence with probation.

On Sept. 21, Paiva, 30, pleaded guilty to murder, conspiracy to commit murder, four counts of receiving stolen goods less than $1,500, two counts of forgery, and obtaining property under false pretenses (less than $1,500).

Had the case proceeded to trial, state prosecutors said they were prepared to prove that on Feb. 10, 2017, Paiva killed his grandmother, Eudora Gustafson, 62, by asphyxiation, before robbing her in an attempt to get money for drugs. Paiva was at his grandparents’ home on Sowams Drive in Bristol that afternoon. The evidence showed he had recently used heroin and wanted money to purchase additional heroin.

Around 3:15 p.m., Paiva's grandfather left the house to go to work, leaving Gustafson alone in the first floor living room. A short time later, prosecutors said Paiva attacked his grandmother to get the keys to her car.

Prosecutors said Paiva smothered Gustafson with a pillow and covered her head with a trash bag with the drawstring drawn tightly around her neck.

Paiva then took his grandmother’s rings, additional jewelry from a bedroom safe, half-dollar coins, and her checkbook, before driving away, prosecutors said. He then attempted to cash a check from his grandmother’s checkbook at a nearby Citizen’s Bank but was unsuccessful.

Around 7 p.m., Paiva pawned his grandmother’s jewelry at a pawn shop in North Providence and then bought heroin in Providence, prosecutors said. Providence police arrested him a short time later.

DNA evidence collected from the victim and the trash bag matched the Paiva’s DNA.

Paiva is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 3, in Providence Superior Court.

The case against co-defendant Selena Martinez, who was charged with murder, assault with a dangerous weapon in a dwelling, conspiracy to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of receiving stolen goods less than $1,500, forgery, and obtaining property under false pretenses (less than $1,500), remains pending in Providence County Superior Court.

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