CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (TCN) — Eight people have been arrested in connection with the death of Erica Bader, 24, whose body was found in a wooded area Oct. 27.
Andrew Cornell, 28; Joshua Brunelle, 35; Elizabeth Durand, 41; Stephanie Bletzer, 37; and Brittney Terpening, 34, are facing charges of murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy, WCVB reports. Christopher Kordalewski, 22, Joanne Miller, 26, and Cheryl Blakely, 36, are charged with kidnapping, conspiracy, and failure to report a death.
Bader’s remains were found in a wooded area in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, but investigators believe she died elsewhere, WPRI reports.
According to WJAR, Bader was living at a home with several of the people involved. Her stepmother, Crystal Smith, told the outlet others in the home physically abused Bader often. According to Smith, Bader was allegedly dragged back to the home after trying to run away.
Bader’s family members also claim she was pregnant at the time of her death, WJAR reports, but they have not yet seen an autopsy report.
On April 6, Central Falls Police went to the home to do a welfare check on Bader after family members said she texted them asking for help, WJAR reports. The police could not locate Bader and recommended family members file a missing person report. They claim a report was never filed.
The outlet also reports that 50 abandoned animals were removed from the home in early November and rescued by the Rhode Island SCPA. The animals reportedly had not been fed or given water and the home was strewn with feces and smelled of ammonia.
According to WPRI, Terpening, Bletzer, Brunelle, Cornell, and Durand are being held without bail and are due to appear in court on Dec. 2. Kordalewski, Miller, and Blakely were each granted surety bail of $30,000 and are due back in court on Feb. 23, 2026. No plea was entered for any of the suspects.
In a media release obtained by Patch.com, the Central Falls Police department said no further details will be released regarding the investigation.
