Prov. death ruled homicide, victim identified

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- A man who was found dead inside of a single-family home Monday night has been officially declared the victim of homicide.

Police responded just after 6 p.m. to reports of a suspicious death at 49 Beaufort St.

The victim was later identified as 40-year-old Joel Wills. He's the sixteenth homicide victim in the capital city so far this year.

Neighbors tell us that the home is actually Wills' grandmother's house, where he stayed regularly.

"It was very shocking last night to hear it was so close to home," said neighbor Joseph Davis.

Providence police towed a car away from the scene Tuesday morning. They have yet to divulge how they believe Wills died.

The investigation is ongoing and has now been turned over to detectives.