Pawtucket Man Gets Life In Prison For Strangling Girlfriend To Death

PAWTUCKET, RI — A Pawtucket man was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison after state prosecutors proved he strangled his girlfriend to death in 2020.

The sentencing in Rhode Island Superior Court came following a five-day trial, and a jury on Feb. 24, found Victor Colebut, 46, guilty of domestic second-degree murder, domestic assault (third offense), and domestic criminal violation of a no-contact order (third offense).

"Perpetrators of domestic abuse seek to exert control over their victims, and will go to extreme measures to keep it," Attorney General Peter Neronha said. "All too often, this violent behavior escalates and ends with victims losing their lives, as was the case here. While nothing can bring Kristine back to her family, I hope this life sentence gives them some sense of peace, knowing that justice was served."

During the trial, prosecutors proved that on Feb. 17, 2020, Colebut killed Kristine Ohler, 30, by strangling her to death in his home. That morning, police and fire officials responded to a 911 call for an unknown medical emergency.

When officers arrived, they found Ohler unresponsive in Colebut's home. Prosecutors said Ohler had visible injuries on her face. Officers began CPR and rushed her to Miriam Hospital in Providence, where she was later pronounced dead.

Officers detained Colebut at the scene, and he later admitted he argued with the victim while intoxicated. Neighbors also reported hearing arguing coming from the Colebut's home earlier in the night.

Colebut's contact with Ohler violated a 2020 no-contact order, issued after a domestic violence incident.

"I want to thank the men and women of the Pawtucket Police Department and the Attorney General’s Office for their work in bringing this defendant to justice," Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said. "Domestic violence gravely impacts our community, and I am grateful to see this perpetrator be held accountable for his actions."

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