E.P. man accused of murder
Allen J. Hanson to be held in custody at least until June 4 bail hearing
EAST PROVIDENCE – An East Providence man accused of killing his girlfriend early Saturday morning was ordered held without bail following his arraignment in Providence District Court Monday.
Allen J. Hanson, 31, who was arrested Saturday on a domestic first-degree murder charge in the death of 41-year-old Jennifer Silva, was arraigned before District Court Magistrate Joseph Ippolito who ordered him held without bail pending a bail hearing scheduled for June 4 in Superior Court where Hanson will be represented by a public defender.
According to East Providence police, officers were called to 85 Warren Avenue around 4 a.m. Saturday for a report of a person who was struck by a car. Responding officers found Silva lying in the driveway of the home she shared with Hanson.
Hanson was nearby, according to police, and he initially told officers there had been a hit-and-run, but investigators later determined this not to be the case.
City detectives launched an investigation and later determined Silva’s injuries were not the result of an incident involving a motor vehicle, but from a domestic violence altercation with Hanson.
“Officers on scene had located Hanson next to the female and he identified her as his girlfriend,” police said in a new release. “He informed officers that her injuries were due to her being struck by a motor vehicle, which was not consistent with evidence located on the scene.”
Silva was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed by the Rhode Island Medical Examiner’s office on Monday.
According to police, Hansen was on probation for a domestic felony assault in 2006 that involved a different victim. Hansen pleaded guilty to that charge in 2010 and received a 10-year sentence. He served 2½ years of that sentence and was on probation for seven years.
Deborah DeBare, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, issued a statement Monday, saying “We are deeply saddened by this tragic case of domestic violence and extend our heartfelt condolences to all those who have been impacted by this heinous crime.”
DeBare says domestic violence murder is rarely an isolated incident, but is often the final act in a pattern of abuse that has escalated over time.
“Although we cannot comment on the specifics of this case, we do know that Allen Hanson has a history of committing domestic violence crimes,” she says. “Rhode Island must do more to hold dangerous abusers accountable.
“The tragic murder of Jennifer Silva reminds us that domestic violence happens in every Rhode Island city and town,” she added. “In such a small state, we are all affected by Jennifer’s death; our hearts go out to her loved ones and community.”