Horrific Murder: Eight Charged in Gruesome CASE

December 4, 2025

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Eight individuals now face serious charges in the horrific murder of a homeless Rhode Island woman who was allegedly held captive, tortured, and killed by total strangers she trusted for shelter—exposing catastrophic failures in our welfare system that left a vulnerable American to die.

Story Highlights

Five defendants charged with murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy in death of 24-year-old Erica Bader
Homeless victim was allegedly held hostage and prevented from escaping by her housemates
Police welfare check in April 2025 failed to locate Bader, missing critical opportunity to save her life
Residence housed 50 animals in horrid conditions, revealing broader pattern of neglect and dysfunction
Case highlights systemic failures protecting America’s most vulnerable citizens from predators

Eight Defendants Face Serious Murder and Kidnapping Charges

Providence District Court arraigned eight individuals on November 25, 2025, in connection with Bader’s death. Andrew Cornell, Joshua Brunelle, Elizabeth Durand, Stephanie Bletzer, and Brittney Terpening face the most serious charges including murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy. Three additional defendants—Christopher Kordalewski, Joanne Miller, and Cheryl Blakely—are charged with kidnapping, conspiracy, and failure to report a death. The five murder defendants are held without bail while the others received $30,000 surety bail.

Bader’s body was discovered in Pawtucket woods in October 2025, with investigators determining she was killed elsewhere and her remains subsequently moved. Central Falls Police Chief Colonel Anthony Roberson emphasized the coordinated investigation, stating his department remained “fully committed to this case” and would continue working with the Attorney General’s Office on prosecution.

⚠️ WARNING: This post describes the murder of a pregnant woman & kidnapping

Eight individuals have been charged in connection with the torture & murder of Erica Bader, 24, a pregnant woman whose body was discovered in a wooded area in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Erica's family… pic.twitter.com/fDgh2tsDRk

— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) November 30, 2025

Vulnerable Woman Trapped by Predators Exploiting Housing Crisis

Bader’s stepmother Crystal Smith revealed the tragic circumstances that led to her death. Smith explained that Bader “had no other place to go” and was forced to live with “total strangers” to avoid homelessness. Once residing at the Central Falls home, Bader became trapped in an abusive situation where she was allegedly prevented from leaving and subjected to physical violence.

Smith recounted Bader’s failed escape attempt: “She tried to run away one time, she didn’t get far. They dragged her in, pulled her in that house and held her hostage, basically.” This account reveals how predators can exploit America’s housing crisis to target vulnerable individuals seeking basic shelter, turning desperate circumstances into deadly traps for those with nowhere else to turn.

Systemic Failures Left American Citizen Defenseless

A welfare check conducted at the residence in April 2025 failed to locate Bader, representing a critical missed opportunity to save her life. When family members requested the check, police advised them to file a missing persons report, but no such report was ever filed. This gap in protective response systems demonstrates how bureaucratic procedures can fail those who need protection most desperately.

The residence itself revealed broader dysfunction, with the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals removing 46 cats and four dogs due to “horrid conditions.” The presence of 50 animals in neglectful conditions suggests a household marked by chaos and disregard for basic welfare—both human and animal. This case underscores how our social services failed to protect a young American woman from monsters who exploited her desperation and vulnerability.