Woman Overdoses in Coventry; Boyfriend, Friend Dump her Body in West Warwick Woods: Police

Coventry, RI — Two local men free on bail for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 14-year-old girl in 2014 are accused of dumping a 44-year-old woman's body in a wooded area in West Warwick early Saturday morning after she died overnight from a heroin overdose where they were staying in Coventry.

The victim, Michelle Farrell, of West Warwick, was found behind 100 Pulaski St. in West Warwick on Saturday. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives learned that Farrell might have overdosed at the home of Robert Perry, of 12 Eleanor Drive, Coventry, who was also there with her boyfriend, Lloyd Baker.

Police said they believe that Farrell overdosed at Perry's house. In the early morning hours of June 25, "Perry and Baker did not call for help, but instead carried Farrell to a vehicle and placed her in the back seat," Coventry and West Warwick police said in a joint news release." Perry and Baker then allegedly brought her to the wooded area behind 100 Pulaski St. West Warwick, where her body was discarded."

Both Perry and Baker were arrested for failing to report a death and were held overnight until their arraignments. Both were presented as bail violators stemming from prior charges, including their mutual involvement in a 2014 kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. Each is now being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston.

"This is the type of scenario that the Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Act was intended for, and this tragic ending may have been prevented, if only the defendants had called 911 for help,” said Col. Richard G. Silva of West Warwick police.“While these defendants would have been afforded immunity under the Act had they sought medical treatment, instead, [they] thought about themselves and attempted to trick authorities by concealing what had occurred. As a result, the opioid epidemic claims another life and continues its devastating effect on our society.”

Perry, 58, and Baker, 54, were indicted in November of 2015 by the Statewide Grand Jury for the rape and kidnapping of the child, rape, sexual assault, conspiracy and enticement.

Police arrested the duo after an investigation showed that Perry enticed the girl into his car and drove her to a Johnston motel where she was repeatedly raped. Baker then raped her at a West Warwick house. Later, they dropped her off at a bus station in Providence and she was later found in New York City two weeks after she disappeared.

This story is being updated.