Dennis Cousineau 2017
On October 1, 2017, approximately 11PM a Fall River Police officer, while on routine patrol, discovered Dennis Cousineau (63) laying unresponsive on the sidewalk near Bedford and Albion Streets. It appeared Dennis had suffered severe facial and head injuries and was transported to R.I Hospital, where he died on October 5. His death was ruled a homicide by the R.I. Medical Examiner.
and
Police arrested two suspects based on witness reports. Scott Rodrigues (44) Mendi Perry (41)
Investigation
Scott Rodrigues and his then girlfriend, Mendi Perry, were leaving a house on Albion Avenue when they ran into Cousineau, who lived across the street. That night, a neighbor reported hearing a loud bang at the intersection of Albion and Bedford Streets. She then looked out the window and saw Scott and Dennis arguing on the sidewalk.
The witness reported seeing Scott swing at Dennis and knock him to the ground. The witness also heard Scott screaming that Dennis should have minded his own business before punching and kicking him repeatedly.
Another witness came outside their home and told Scott to stop punching and kicking Dennis. Mendi then threatened the witness they would be next.
Verdict 2019 Mendi Perry Prison Sentence Completed - Released
Mendi was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 4½ to 7 years in prison.
Trial #1 Verdict 2021 Scott Rodrigues
Scott was convicted of 2nd-degree murder then sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. In 2024 the conviction was overturned by the Massachusetts Judicial Court.
Trial #2 Verdict 2026 Scott Rodrigues
JScott's second trial ended in a mistrial.
Trial #3 Verdict 2026 Scott Rodrigues Released Time Served
Scott was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to serve eight (8) to ten (10) years in state prison, but the sentence was deemed fully served due to the time he had already spent in jail since his initial arrest.
On October 1, 2017, approximately 11PM a Fall River Police officer, while on routine patrol, discovered Dennis Cousineau (63) laying unresponsive on the sidewalk near Bedford and Albion Streets. It appeared Dennis had suffered severe facial and head injuries and was transported to R.I Hospital, where he died on October 5. His death was ruled a homicide by the R.I. Medical Examiner.
and
Police arrested two suspects based on witness reports. Scott Rodrigues (44) Mendi Perry (41)
Investigation
Scott Rodrigues and his then girlfriend, Mendi Perry, were leaving a house on Albion Avenue when they ran into Cousineau, who lived across the street. That night, a neighbor reported hearing a loud bang at the intersection of Albion and Bedford Streets. She then looked out the window and saw Scott and Dennis arguing on the sidewalk.
The witness reported seeing Scott swing at Dennis and knock him to the ground. The witness also heard Scott screaming that Dennis should have minded his own business before punching and kicking him repeatedly.
Another witness came outside their home and told Scott to stop punching and kicking Dennis. Mendi then threatened the witness they would be next.
Verdict 2019 Mendi Perry Prison Sentence Completed - Released
Mendi was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 4½ to 7 years in prison.
Trial #1 Verdict 2021 Scott Rodrigues
Scott was convicted of 2nd-degree murder then sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. In 2024 the conviction was overturned by the Massachusetts Judicial Court.
Trial #2 Verdict 2026 Scott Rodrigues
JScott's second trial ended in a mistrial.
Trial #3 Verdict 2026 Scott Rodrigues Released Time Served
Scott was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to serve eight (8) to ten (10) years in state prison, but the sentence was deemed fully served due to the time he had already spent in jail since his initial arrest.
Bianca Rosado 2009
On July 1, 2009, approximately 10:30PM Bianca Rosado (18) and her boyfriend Victor Camacho (17) arrived at 22 Collins Street for a pre-planned fight between Bianca and another female. When they stepped from their vehicle, Cournoyer approached, words were exchanged and gunshots rang out. Bianca was shot in the chest, Victor in the leg. Both were transported to St. Luke's Hospital, where Bianca was pronounced deceased. A total nine (9) shots were fired.
The shooter was identified as Erick Cournoyer (17) of 22 Collins Street. Erick is the boyfriend of the female scheduled to fight Bianca. Erick was arrested the next day and charged with murder, armed assault with intent to murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Verdict 2014 Erick Cournoyer
Erick was convicted of 2nd-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole after 15 years served. Additionally, Erick was convicted of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for shooting Victor Camacho, along with two counts of possessing an illegal firearm and one count of illegal possession of ammunition.
On July 1, 2009, approximately 10:30PM Bianca Rosado (18) and her boyfriend Victor Camacho (17) arrived at 22 Collins Street for a pre-planned fight between Bianca and another female. When they stepped from their vehicle, Cournoyer approached, words were exchanged and gunshots rang out. Bianca was shot in the chest, Victor in the leg. Both were transported to St. Luke's Hospital, where Bianca was pronounced deceased. A total nine (9) shots were fired.
The shooter was identified as Erick Cournoyer (17) of 22 Collins Street. Erick is the boyfriend of the female scheduled to fight Bianca. Erick was arrested the next day and charged with murder, armed assault with intent to murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Verdict 2014 Erick Cournoyer
Erick was convicted of 2nd-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole after 15 years served. Additionally, Erick was convicted of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for shooting Victor Camacho, along with two counts of possessing an illegal firearm and one count of illegal possession of ammunition.
Simone Auger 1985
Gene Travis was convicted of armed robbery, assaults with intent to murder, drug charges and even prison escape. Prior to being paroled, Joseph Travis, his father, informed the parole board he didn't think it was a good idea for his son to be set free. In November 1985 Gene was paroled.
Simone Auger, Fall River 1985
On December 9, 1985, at approximately 5 PM, Simone Auger (27) left her place of employment, and headed to Globe Video owned by her father, Emile Auger (1922-2010). On arriving at Globe Video, Simone spoke briefly with her father, who then left the business to go home for supper. Simone was the only employee in the store.
At approximately 5:40 PM, a dark-colored Monte Carlo, was seen parked near Globe Video. A witness, saw a man later described as Gene Travis walk towards Globe Video, only to return to his car approximately one minute later. The man repeated this conduct twice more. On his third return to the automobile, the man was accompanied by Simone. The man walked on the outside of the sidewalk, with Simone to the inside. The couple walked slowly. Simone carried with her a pocketbook. When they reached the parked automobile, the man walked with Simone to the passenger side of the automobile and opened the passenger door.
Between 6:10 and 6:15 P.M., Customers found the store deserted and notified police. The Fall River Police Department, in turn telephoned Emile Auger. When Mr. Auger arrived at Globe Video, he found that the cash register had been emptied, and that Simone's coat, gloves and keys remained in the back room where she had placed them earlier, Simone was missing. Emile Auger explained to Fall River Police that he had transferred money, including a roll of forty quarters, from a cash drawer in an inner office to the cash register in the store.
Janice Pinelli, North Kingstown, R.I. 1985
The day after Gene Travis kidnapped Simone Auger, he robbed a North Kingstown, R.I. shoe store and brutally stabbed and strangled Janice Pinelli (42). She later died as a result of her injuries.
After the murder, Gene was stopped and arrested on unrelated charges by the Greenwich, R.I. Police department. A large roll of bills as well as forty-two quarters were found in his pockets.
Janice was interred in St. Ann Cemetery in Cranston R.I.
Simone Auger's Remains Discovered, 1986
On April 9, 1986, the partially decomposed body of Simone Auger was discovered on an over-grown lot in Tiverton, R.I. An autopsy determined that Simone had died of asphyxiation due to strangulation, either by ligature or by use of the assailant's hands.
Simone was interred in Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River.
Verdict 1988 Gene Travis
Gene was found guilty of 1st-degree murder, unarmed robbery and kidnapping of Simone Auger. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Gene would serve the Massachusetts prison sentence after he serves his prison sentence, life in prison without parole, in Rhode Island for the murder of Janice Pinelli.
Gene Travis became the first person in Rhode Island to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Prison Escape 1996 Deceased 2000 in prison
Gene Travis had escaped from a Rhode Island prison while serving a sentence for armed robbery and attempted murder. He was captured after being on the run for 19 days.
On April 29, 1996, Gene escaped yet again, following his following his murder sentence. He escaped the maximum-security Adult Correctional Institution in Cranston in the back of a garbage truck. He was on the run for 12 hours before he was captured by Providence Police.
Gene Travis was convicted of armed robbery, assaults with intent to murder, drug charges and even prison escape. Prior to being paroled, Joseph Travis, his father, informed the parole board he didn't think it was a good idea for his son to be set free. In November 1985 Gene was paroled.
Simone Auger, Fall River 1985
On December 9, 1985, at approximately 5 PM, Simone Auger (27) left her place of employment, and headed to Globe Video owned by her father, Emile Auger (1922-2010). On arriving at Globe Video, Simone spoke briefly with her father, who then left the business to go home for supper. Simone was the only employee in the store.
At approximately 5:40 PM, a dark-colored Monte Carlo, was seen parked near Globe Video. A witness, saw a man later described as Gene Travis walk towards Globe Video, only to return to his car approximately one minute later. The man repeated this conduct twice more. On his third return to the automobile, the man was accompanied by Simone. The man walked on the outside of the sidewalk, with Simone to the inside. The couple walked slowly. Simone carried with her a pocketbook. When they reached the parked automobile, the man walked with Simone to the passenger side of the automobile and opened the passenger door.
Between 6:10 and 6:15 P.M., Customers found the store deserted and notified police. The Fall River Police Department, in turn telephoned Emile Auger. When Mr. Auger arrived at Globe Video, he found that the cash register had been emptied, and that Simone's coat, gloves and keys remained in the back room where she had placed them earlier, Simone was missing. Emile Auger explained to Fall River Police that he had transferred money, including a roll of forty quarters, from a cash drawer in an inner office to the cash register in the store.
Janice Pinelli, North Kingstown, R.I. 1985
The day after Gene Travis kidnapped Simone Auger, he robbed a North Kingstown, R.I. shoe store and brutally stabbed and strangled Janice Pinelli (42). She later died as a result of her injuries.
After the murder, Gene was stopped and arrested on unrelated charges by the Greenwich, R.I. Police department. A large roll of bills as well as forty-two quarters were found in his pockets.
Janice was interred in St. Ann Cemetery in Cranston R.I.
Simone Auger's Remains Discovered, 1986
On April 9, 1986, the partially decomposed body of Simone Auger was discovered on an over-grown lot in Tiverton, R.I. An autopsy determined that Simone had died of asphyxiation due to strangulation, either by ligature or by use of the assailant's hands.
Simone was interred in Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River.
Verdict 1988 Gene Travis
Gene was found guilty of 1st-degree murder, unarmed robbery and kidnapping of Simone Auger. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Gene would serve the Massachusetts prison sentence after he serves his prison sentence, life in prison without parole, in Rhode Island for the murder of Janice Pinelli.
Gene Travis became the first person in Rhode Island to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Prison Escape 1996 Deceased 2000 in prison
Gene Travis had escaped from a Rhode Island prison while serving a sentence for armed robbery and attempted murder. He was captured after being on the run for 19 days.
On April 29, 1996, Gene escaped yet again, following his following his murder sentence. He escaped the maximum-security Adult Correctional Institution in Cranston in the back of a garbage truck. He was on the run for 12 hours before he was captured by Providence Police.
Henry Cohen 1996
On November 5, 1996, Henry Cohen (82) went missing after leaving his Parker Street New Bedford home he shared with his sister. He was expected to return about 3:30 PM, as was his normal routine.
On November 8, 1996, Henry's 1994 Toyota Camry was discovered in the parking lot of Dunkin Donuts on Chace Road in Freetown. The vehicle had been parked in the lot since 11:30AM on November 5th. Henry's wallet, false teeth and cellular telephone were found in the car.
On November 15, 1996, at 1:16 PM Massachusetts State Police K-9 along with Freetown Police located Henry's fully clothed body, ankles tied in a wooded area approximately 75 feet off of Long Pond Road. An autopsy determined Henry has been strangled and was ruled homicide. It's believed Henry was killed at a different location then transported to Long Pond Road.
Verdict 1999 Timothy Imbriglio
Timothy Imbriglio (27) plead guilty to manslaughter and larceny charges and was sentenced to 12 to 16 years in prison.
On November 5, 1996, Henry Cohen (82) went missing after leaving his Parker Street New Bedford home he shared with his sister. He was expected to return about 3:30 PM, as was his normal routine.
On November 8, 1996, Henry's 1994 Toyota Camry was discovered in the parking lot of Dunkin Donuts on Chace Road in Freetown. The vehicle had been parked in the lot since 11:30AM on November 5th. Henry's wallet, false teeth and cellular telephone were found in the car.
On November 15, 1996, at 1:16 PM Massachusetts State Police K-9 along with Freetown Police located Henry's fully clothed body, ankles tied in a wooded area approximately 75 feet off of Long Pond Road. An autopsy determined Henry has been strangled and was ruled homicide. It's believed Henry was killed at a different location then transported to Long Pond Road.
Verdict 1999 Timothy Imbriglio
Timothy Imbriglio (27) plead guilty to manslaughter and larceny charges and was sentenced to 12 to 16 years in prison.
Gerald F. Rose II 1992
On February 18, 1992, Gerald F. Rose II (39) was discovered deceased by his mother, Anne Rose (1931-1994) at his School Street apartment after no communication from him in three (3) days.
Gerald appeared to have been robbed, strangled with his own neckties, and left tied to his bed.
His death was ruled a homicide. As part of the investigative procedures, DNA samples were collected by the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Unit. The collected samples were tested and found DNA belonging to an unknown man. That DNA sample was entered into the Combined DNA Indexing System (CODIS). The murder remained unsolved.
DNA Match 2006
In 2006, a suspect emerged thru DNA. In 1999 Timothy Imbriglio (27) plead guilty to manslaughter and larceny charges relating to the 1996 murder of Henry Cohen (82) in Freetown. DNA from the Freetown case matched the DNA from Gerald's unsolved murder.
Verdict 2011 Timothy Imbriglio
Timothy Imbriglio plead guilty to Manslaughter and other charges and sentenced to 36 to 45 years in prison.
On February 18, 1992, Gerald F. Rose II (39) was discovered deceased by his mother, Anne Rose (1931-1994) at his School Street apartment after no communication from him in three (3) days.
Gerald appeared to have been robbed, strangled with his own neckties, and left tied to his bed.
His death was ruled a homicide. As part of the investigative procedures, DNA samples were collected by the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Unit. The collected samples were tested and found DNA belonging to an unknown man. That DNA sample was entered into the Combined DNA Indexing System (CODIS). The murder remained unsolved.
DNA Match 2006
In 2006, a suspect emerged thru DNA. In 1999 Timothy Imbriglio (27) plead guilty to manslaughter and larceny charges relating to the 1996 murder of Henry Cohen (82) in Freetown. DNA from the Freetown case matched the DNA from Gerald's unsolved murder.
Verdict 2011 Timothy Imbriglio
Timothy Imbriglio plead guilty to Manslaughter and other charges and sentenced to 36 to 45 years in prison.