Providence, R.I. Philip P. Seals Unsolved Murder 2013
On July 24, 2013, skeletal remains were discovered just under the surface of terracotta brick and concrete, in an area roughly 5-by-5½ feet and 3 feet deep in the former Federated Lithographers-Printers factory building located at 355 Prairie Avenue in Providence. The building, constructed in 1917, was being remodeled as part of a development of a medical-retail complex anchored by the Providence Community Health Centers. According to property records, the mill building had been owned by Vincent A. Patience, of Apco Stationers & Printers, in 1971, and was briefly vacant in 1972 until Apco moved in sometime in 1973. The building changed hands again in 1985, when Federated Lithographers-Printers Inc. bought the facility.
A projectile found with the skeletal remains, however investigators determined its not a bullet. An identification card from Rhode Island Hospital found with name Philip P. Seals was located with the remains. The cause of death remains undermined, the investigation was ruled as homicide.
On June 19 2014 the skeletal remains were positively identified at Philip P. Seals (45) of West Virginia. Philip had lived in Providence in 1976 until at least 1982. It was confirmed he was last seen alive in February 1982. Philip was arrested a few times, on petty crimes, and was known as a drifter. His exact time of disappearance remains a mystery. Investigators determined he had no connection the business and unknown why he was in the building.
On May 21, 1981 Philip was profiled in The Visitor, a newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, and it described his journey to Providence at the “crossroads of his life.” The article was about Philip's struggle to overcome years of alcoholism. Philip, an Air Force veteran, completed his college credits and reversed his dishonorable discharge to an honorable discharge. Philip left behind a sister residing in Maryland, a wife and one child still living in Ohio.
On July 24, 2013, skeletal remains were discovered just under the surface of terracotta brick and concrete, in an area roughly 5-by-5½ feet and 3 feet deep in the former Federated Lithographers-Printers factory building located at 355 Prairie Avenue in Providence. The building, constructed in 1917, was being remodeled as part of a development of a medical-retail complex anchored by the Providence Community Health Centers. According to property records, the mill building had been owned by Vincent A. Patience, of Apco Stationers & Printers, in 1971, and was briefly vacant in 1972 until Apco moved in sometime in 1973. The building changed hands again in 1985, when Federated Lithographers-Printers Inc. bought the facility.
A projectile found with the skeletal remains, however investigators determined its not a bullet. An identification card from Rhode Island Hospital found with name Philip P. Seals was located with the remains. The cause of death remains undermined, the investigation was ruled as homicide.
On June 19 2014 the skeletal remains were positively identified at Philip P. Seals (45) of West Virginia. Philip had lived in Providence in 1976 until at least 1982. It was confirmed he was last seen alive in February 1982. Philip was arrested a few times, on petty crimes, and was known as a drifter. His exact time of disappearance remains a mystery. Investigators determined he had no connection the business and unknown why he was in the building.
On May 21, 1981 Philip was profiled in The Visitor, a newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, and it described his journey to Providence at the “crossroads of his life.” The article was about Philip's struggle to overcome years of alcoholism. Philip, an Air Force veteran, completed his college credits and reversed his dishonorable discharge to an honorable discharge. Philip left behind a sister residing in Maryland, a wife and one child still living in Ohio.
Newport Diane Ruth Drake Unsolved Murder 1980
On March 19, 1980 at 3:25 PM Diane Drake (19) was last seen walking on Valley Road. On March 20, 1980 two (2) highway workers discovered her naked body on Easton Beach at the high tide line. The medical examiner determined Diane had been strangled that night between 10PM and midnight.
Investigators believed Diane, who lived in a small cottage on Easton Avenue, may have walked or hitchhiked to her job at Photo Patio — in what is now the RK Plaza on East Main Road — on the afternoon of March 21, 1980. During that walk, investigators believed she may have hitched a ride with the person who killed her. The family of Diane dispute that theory. Though leads and persons of interest developed, the case remains unsolved.
On March 19, 1980 at 3:25 PM Diane Drake (19) was last seen walking on Valley Road. On March 20, 1980 two (2) highway workers discovered her naked body on Easton Beach at the high tide line. The medical examiner determined Diane had been strangled that night between 10PM and midnight.
Investigators believed Diane, who lived in a small cottage on Easton Avenue, may have walked or hitchhiked to her job at Photo Patio — in what is now the RK Plaza on East Main Road — on the afternoon of March 21, 1980. During that walk, investigators believed she may have hitched a ride with the person who killed her. The family of Diane dispute that theory. Though leads and persons of interest developed, the case remains unsolved.
Tiverton Lyla J. Poitras Unsolved Murder 1977
Lyla J. Poitras (28) was last seen on June 27, 1977, at her Cynthia Ave home in Tiverton R.I. On June 29, 1977, her neighbors reported her missing to Tiverton Police Department. Neighbors reported Lyla's vehicle hadn't moved in days, and the TV was left on inside the house and nobody was around.
Investigators at the time theorized that she had left with someone she knew with the intention of coming right back. There were no signs of a struggle. Neighbors reported to police hearing screams at about 3 a.m. on June 27. Officers also interviewed Ms. Poitras’ boyfriend who was the last known person to see her alive had departed the home around midnight after watching the Red Sox game together. The boyfriend was cleared as a suspect.
Investigators learned that Lyla had been looking forward to a two-week vacation in Caribou, Maine with her parents in early July. Poitras had moved to Rhode Island in 1972 when she married William J. Souza of Middletown. They purchased the house on Cynthia Avenue, but the couple divorced in 1975.
On July 13, 1977, her full-clothed body was discovered by state highway workers in a wooded area near William S. Canning Boulevard and Stafford Road in the City of Fall River Massachusetts just 3.3 miles north of her home. Autopsy determined she was shot in the right side of the head by a single gunshot from a small caliber handgun, possibly a .22. There was no signs of a sexual assault or physical assault. Several persons of interest were identified; however no charges were filed.
Lyla J. Poitras (28) was last seen on June 27, 1977, at her Cynthia Ave home in Tiverton R.I. On June 29, 1977, her neighbors reported her missing to Tiverton Police Department. Neighbors reported Lyla's vehicle hadn't moved in days, and the TV was left on inside the house and nobody was around.
Investigators at the time theorized that she had left with someone she knew with the intention of coming right back. There were no signs of a struggle. Neighbors reported to police hearing screams at about 3 a.m. on June 27. Officers also interviewed Ms. Poitras’ boyfriend who was the last known person to see her alive had departed the home around midnight after watching the Red Sox game together. The boyfriend was cleared as a suspect.
Investigators learned that Lyla had been looking forward to a two-week vacation in Caribou, Maine with her parents in early July. Poitras had moved to Rhode Island in 1972 when she married William J. Souza of Middletown. They purchased the house on Cynthia Avenue, but the couple divorced in 1975.
On July 13, 1977, her full-clothed body was discovered by state highway workers in a wooded area near William S. Canning Boulevard and Stafford Road in the City of Fall River Massachusetts just 3.3 miles north of her home. Autopsy determined she was shot in the right side of the head by a single gunshot from a small caliber handgun, possibly a .22. There was no signs of a sexual assault or physical assault. Several persons of interest were identified; however no charges were filed.
Portsmouth Cornell Family Unsolved 1673
Rebecca Cornell (73), widow of Thomas Cornell Sr., resided in the family homestead with her son Thomas Cornell Jr. and his family which includes his wife, two daughters and four sons from a prior marriage, a lodger, and a Narragansett Indian named Wickhopash who was a servant.
On February 8, 1673, Rebecca Cornell claimed she wasn't feeling well and declined to have dinner with the family and retired early to the 1st floor bedroom. An hour and half later, her grandson Edward went to inquire if she wanted something else for dinner besides what was served.
Edward called for his grandmother and received no response, Thomas entered the room and saw the badly burned body close to the fireplace and recognized the shoes as his mothers. The valance of the bed, and the upper portion of the room curtains were also burnt.
In all likelihood Rebecca’s burned body was likely from a coal or pipe ashes catching her clothing on fire. Rebecca had been sitting in front of the fire in her bedchamber, smoking her pipe while the family had dinner.
The coroner’s panel initially declared her death an "Unhappie Accident". The death ruled accidental, and the body was prepared for burial.
John Briggs, Rebecca's brother
Two nights after burial, according to a report by her brother John Briggs, who was residing in Newport R.I. formerly from Dartmouth, claimed he had two spiritual visitations from his sister as he slept. Briggs testified that he thought he felt something heave up the Bedclothes twice, and thought somebody had been coming to bed, where upon he awaked, and turned himself about in his bed, and being turned, he perceived a light in the room, like to the dawning of the day, and plainly saw the shape and appearance of a woman standing by his bedside. Briggs claimed he was frightened and cried out "In the name of God what art thou", the apparition answered, "I am your sister Cornell", and twice said, "see how I was burnt with fire", and she plainly appeared unto him to be very much burnt about the shoulders, face, and head.
Rebecca’s body was exhumed, and a second inquest held declaring her death a homicide.
Thomas Cornell Jr.
Thomas was then arrested and charged with Rebecca's murder. There was no evidence presented that Thomas had caused Rebecca's death in anyway. At trial, witnesses painted an unpleasant picture of life in the Cornell home. Rebecca Cornell had complained about her treatment and had to work on the farm. She went to bed without her bed made up or warmed. And she complained that Thomas was skimpy in heating the home and would not provide a good fire. Her son declined to hire a maid to look after her. She and Thomas argued over whether rent should be paid for staying at the house and whether he should pay her or vice versa.
Two witnesses testified that Rebecca had contemplated killing herself, either by stabbing herself or drowning herself. Further, she had told some, she planned to leave Thomas’ house and move in with her son Samuel in the spring. Of particular concern to Rebecca: Thomas’ second wife, Sarah, who she disliked. Then there is the testimony provided by John Briggs.
Thomas was convicted and sentenced to death, he was hung on May 23, 1673, at Miantonomi Hill in Newport R.I., the current site of the WWI memorial. It's important to note that Thomas' wife was pregnant at this point. She later gave birth to a daughter named Innocent Cornell as a testimony of her husband's innocence.
Thomas Jr.'s Last Request - Denied
Thomas’ last request was to be buried in the family plot next to his mother, Rebecca in the Cornell Cemetery. A judge denied that request but granted permission to be buried at an unmarked grave but not within twenty (20) yards of Rebecca's grave. It is believed Thomas is buried under the current driveway at what is today the Valley Inn.
The exact location of Rebecca's grave is also a mystery. Rebecca is believed to be buried in the Cornell Cemetery near the grave of Thomas Cornell Sr. There is no evidence of either grave. The cause of Rebecca's death has never been officially determined.
The Other Suspects
In this time period there was unrest among the Native Americans and the European settlers. An Indian named Wickopash possibly had motive for the crime. He was on the losing end of a criminal action for grand larceny brought on by Thomas Cornell Jr. in June 1671. His punishment was perceived as excessive and often Indians took revenge out by attacking a lone family member and using arson. In 1674 He was tried for Rebecca's murder, but later acquitted.
In 1675 William Cornell (Thomas Jr.'s brother) presented evidence that Sarah (Thomas' wife) had a role in Rebecca's murder. Allegedly she was burdened by having to cater to her demanding mother-in-law. She too was acquitted.
The Cornell Homestead
The original house burned down in 1889, it was reconstructed and built in the same style. Today it is the Valley Inn. The property and house were held by the Cornell Family from 1646-1957. In 1957 The Rev. John Cornell sold the property to the Occhi Family.
Cornell Family Cemetery 25 Burials (16 documented)
The cemetery is located behind the Bay View Condo Complex, specifically behind Condo #281.
Thomas Cornell (1593-1655) his wife Rebecca Cornell (1600-1673)
Deliverance Cornell (1738-1740) (child of George Cornell, Esq. (1676-1752) and Abigail Sisson
Samuel Coggshall (1774-1855) his wife Ann Coggeshall (1771-1808)
their children: Sarah Coggshall (?-1881) Hannah Coggshall (1801-1883) Mary Coggshall (1799-1885)
Albert Cornell (1804-1881) (son of Walter Cornell, grandson of Jonathan & Phebe Cornell)
Jonathan Cornell (1735-1809) his wife Phebe B. Cornell (1736-1830), sister-in law Sarah Brownell (1739-1806)
their son Stephen B. Cornell (1773-1840) his wife Catherine Cornell (?-1840)
Lydia P. Albro (1793-1841)
John Wyatt (?-1806)
Kindred Spirit TV Program 2021
An episode of the television program "Kindred Spirits" was filmed at the Valley Inn Restaurant on West Main Road. The episode titled "False Witness".
Rebecca Cornell (73), widow of Thomas Cornell Sr., resided in the family homestead with her son Thomas Cornell Jr. and his family which includes his wife, two daughters and four sons from a prior marriage, a lodger, and a Narragansett Indian named Wickhopash who was a servant.
On February 8, 1673, Rebecca Cornell claimed she wasn't feeling well and declined to have dinner with the family and retired early to the 1st floor bedroom. An hour and half later, her grandson Edward went to inquire if she wanted something else for dinner besides what was served.
Edward called for his grandmother and received no response, Thomas entered the room and saw the badly burned body close to the fireplace and recognized the shoes as his mothers. The valance of the bed, and the upper portion of the room curtains were also burnt.
In all likelihood Rebecca’s burned body was likely from a coal or pipe ashes catching her clothing on fire. Rebecca had been sitting in front of the fire in her bedchamber, smoking her pipe while the family had dinner.
The coroner’s panel initially declared her death an "Unhappie Accident". The death ruled accidental, and the body was prepared for burial.
John Briggs, Rebecca's brother
Two nights after burial, according to a report by her brother John Briggs, who was residing in Newport R.I. formerly from Dartmouth, claimed he had two spiritual visitations from his sister as he slept. Briggs testified that he thought he felt something heave up the Bedclothes twice, and thought somebody had been coming to bed, where upon he awaked, and turned himself about in his bed, and being turned, he perceived a light in the room, like to the dawning of the day, and plainly saw the shape and appearance of a woman standing by his bedside. Briggs claimed he was frightened and cried out "In the name of God what art thou", the apparition answered, "I am your sister Cornell", and twice said, "see how I was burnt with fire", and she plainly appeared unto him to be very much burnt about the shoulders, face, and head.
Rebecca’s body was exhumed, and a second inquest held declaring her death a homicide.
Thomas Cornell Jr.
Thomas was then arrested and charged with Rebecca's murder. There was no evidence presented that Thomas had caused Rebecca's death in anyway. At trial, witnesses painted an unpleasant picture of life in the Cornell home. Rebecca Cornell had complained about her treatment and had to work on the farm. She went to bed without her bed made up or warmed. And she complained that Thomas was skimpy in heating the home and would not provide a good fire. Her son declined to hire a maid to look after her. She and Thomas argued over whether rent should be paid for staying at the house and whether he should pay her or vice versa.
Two witnesses testified that Rebecca had contemplated killing herself, either by stabbing herself or drowning herself. Further, she had told some, she planned to leave Thomas’ house and move in with her son Samuel in the spring. Of particular concern to Rebecca: Thomas’ second wife, Sarah, who she disliked. Then there is the testimony provided by John Briggs.
Thomas was convicted and sentenced to death, he was hung on May 23, 1673, at Miantonomi Hill in Newport R.I., the current site of the WWI memorial. It's important to note that Thomas' wife was pregnant at this point. She later gave birth to a daughter named Innocent Cornell as a testimony of her husband's innocence.
Thomas Jr.'s Last Request - Denied
Thomas’ last request was to be buried in the family plot next to his mother, Rebecca in the Cornell Cemetery. A judge denied that request but granted permission to be buried at an unmarked grave but not within twenty (20) yards of Rebecca's grave. It is believed Thomas is buried under the current driveway at what is today the Valley Inn.
The exact location of Rebecca's grave is also a mystery. Rebecca is believed to be buried in the Cornell Cemetery near the grave of Thomas Cornell Sr. There is no evidence of either grave. The cause of Rebecca's death has never been officially determined.
The Other Suspects
In this time period there was unrest among the Native Americans and the European settlers. An Indian named Wickopash possibly had motive for the crime. He was on the losing end of a criminal action for grand larceny brought on by Thomas Cornell Jr. in June 1671. His punishment was perceived as excessive and often Indians took revenge out by attacking a lone family member and using arson. In 1674 He was tried for Rebecca's murder, but later acquitted.
In 1675 William Cornell (Thomas Jr.'s brother) presented evidence that Sarah (Thomas' wife) had a role in Rebecca's murder. Allegedly she was burdened by having to cater to her demanding mother-in-law. She too was acquitted.
The Cornell Homestead
The original house burned down in 1889, it was reconstructed and built in the same style. Today it is the Valley Inn. The property and house were held by the Cornell Family from 1646-1957. In 1957 The Rev. John Cornell sold the property to the Occhi Family.
Cornell Family Cemetery 25 Burials (16 documented)
The cemetery is located behind the Bay View Condo Complex, specifically behind Condo #281.
Thomas Cornell (1593-1655) his wife Rebecca Cornell (1600-1673)
Deliverance Cornell (1738-1740) (child of George Cornell, Esq. (1676-1752) and Abigail Sisson
Samuel Coggshall (1774-1855) his wife Ann Coggeshall (1771-1808)
their children: Sarah Coggshall (?-1881) Hannah Coggshall (1801-1883) Mary Coggshall (1799-1885)
Albert Cornell (1804-1881) (son of Walter Cornell, grandson of Jonathan & Phebe Cornell)
Jonathan Cornell (1735-1809) his wife Phebe B. Cornell (1736-1830), sister-in law Sarah Brownell (1739-1806)
their son Stephen B. Cornell (1773-1840) his wife Catherine Cornell (?-1840)
Lydia P. Albro (1793-1841)
John Wyatt (?-1806)
Kindred Spirit TV Program 2021
An episode of the television program "Kindred Spirits" was filmed at the Valley Inn Restaurant on West Main Road. The episode titled "False Witness".