Bristol Woman Sentenced For Murder Of Boyfriend's Grandmother

BRISTOL, RI — A Bristol woman was sentenced Wednesday to 35 years in state prison after she admitted to killing her boyfriend's grandmother by strangling her with a pillow and a trash bag in 2017.

Selena Martinez, 28, pleaded guilty on Jan. 19, to second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, four counts of receiving stolen property (less than $1,500), forgery, and obtaining property under false pretenses (less than $1,500).

Martinez's boyfriend, Raymond Paiva, 3, also admitted to taking part in killing his grandmother while robbing her to get money to buy heroin. On Oct. 3, 2023, he was sentenced to 40 years in state prison.

"Tragedies like these are particularly tough to comprehend," Attorney General Peter Neronha said. "The defendant is a deeply troubled woman who senselessly murdered and robbed her boyfriend’s grandmother to obtain money to buy drugs, and the victim’s family is left to pick up the pieces. I hope the sentence imposed by the court gives the victim’s loved ones some closure, and I hope the defendant gets the help she needs in prison."

Had the case went to trial, state prosecutors said they were prepared to prove that on Feb. 10, 2017, Martinez killed Eudora Gustafson by asphyxiation, before robbing her in an attempt to get money for drugs.

That afternoon, Martinez was with Paiva at his grandparents' home on Sowams Drive in Bristol. Prosecutors said Martinez had recently used heroin and wanted money to buy more.

Around 3:15 p.m., Paiva’s grandfather left the house to go to work, while Gustafson remained on the couch in the first floor living room. Martinez then attacked Gustafson in an attempt to steal her car keys, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Martinez restrained the victim, while she and Paiva attacked her with a pillow and covered her head with a trash bag with the drawstring drawn tightly around her neck. Martinez then took Gustafson’s rings, additional jewelry from a bedroom safe, half-dollar coins, and her checkbook, before driving away in the victim's car, prosecutors said.

Around 7 p.m. Martinez pawned Gustafson’s jewelry at a pawn shop in North Providence, and then bought heroin in Providence. She was apprehended by the Providence police shortly thereafter.

Prosecutors said DNA evidence collected from the victim and the trash bag matched the Martinez’s DNA.

"The Bristol Police Department works tirelessly to hold accountable those who perpetrate senseless acts of violence in order to keep our communities safe," Bristol Police Chief Kevin Lynch said. "I am grateful for the hard work of our detectives and officers, as well as the Attorney General’s Office, throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case."

In addition to the prison sentence, Martinez must also pay $604 in restitution.

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