Providence Man Convicted Of Murdering His Estranged Wife

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man was convicted after prosecutors proved he killed his estranged wife, Maniriho Nkinamubanzi, 51, in 2017, Attorney General Peter Neronha said Friday.

On Tuesday, a jury in Providence County Superior Court found Bosco Tukamuhabwa, 53, guilty of domestic-second degree murder and domestic criminal violation of a no contact order.

"Murder is a tragic and all-too-common outcome of domestic violence," Neronha said. "Perpetrators of domestic abuse want to exert control over their victims, and often their behavior will escalate, especially when they feel as if they are losing that control. Manihiriho wanted to move on from the defendant, and sought a no contact order as a tool to free herself from this abuse. While nothing can undo the pain of losing their mother, I hope that this verdict will bring Ms. Nkinamubanzi’s children some semblance of peace, and the sense that justice has finally been served."

During the trial, prosecutors proved Tukamuhabwa murdered Nkinamubanzi by bludgeoning and stabbing her to death in her home.

On Nov. 9, 2017, the victim’s children reported their mother missing to Providence police. The following day, while searching the apartment for clues as to their mother’s whereabouts, the children discovered Nkinamubanzi's body in a bedroom closet.

Responding officers identified signs of blunt force trauma and several stab wounds on her body, as well as blood spatter on the wall outside the closet.

Prosecutors said a forensic analysis of the Tukamuhabw's cell phone placed him in the vicinity of the victim’s home at the time of her death. Additionally, the Rhode Island Department of Health tested 19 items from the crime scene and Nkinamubanzi's home, including several bloodstained items containing DNA from both the defendant and the victim.

Nkinamubanzi's contact with the victim violated a no contact order issued in April 2017 after an incident of physical violence, prosecutors said.

"The Providence Police Department works tirelessly to keep our communities safe and bring justice to those who perpetrate senseless acts of violence, such as this one," Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez said. "I am thankful for the hard work of our detectives, as well as the Attorney General’s Office, throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case."

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