Woman dies weeks after alleged beating

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - An East Providence woman who police believe was severely beaten by her husband nearly two months ago has died from her injuries.

East Providence Police confirmed Monday that 54-year-old Lucy Ponte passed away on Sunday.  The cause of her death remains under investigation.

Investigators believe she was beaten by her husband, Mario Ponte, at their Larchwood Drive home on August 13.  Mario Ponte was found dead in Seekonk later that day of an apparent suicide.

At the time, police told Eyewitness News that Mario Ponte had a history of domestic-related assaults.

The couple had been married more than twenty years and had two adult sons.

Deborah DeBare from the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence says there are between four and 10 deaths related to domestic violence in the state every year.

"The reality is there are over 10,000 victims of domestic violence here in Rhode Island that called for help last year," DeBare said, "Only a few ended up murdered, but any one of those 10,000 are at risk for severe tragedy like this and that's what we need to do.. We need to intervene and try to prevent things like this from happening."

If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, call the domestic violence hotline at 800-494-8100. For more information, visit the RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence's website.