Questions surround death of RI man

CHARLESTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) - Native Rhode Islander Jon LaChappelle was gunned down 8,000 miles away in Thailand. The shocking murder has devastated a local family, and comes with a twist that may lead the investigation all the way back here to New England.

Jon LaChappelle started an import-export business in Thailand six years ago. He split his time between the U.S. and overseas, and was turning a serious profit. Then, three years later, everything went horribly wrong.

When LaChappelle answered the door to his Thailand one September morning in 2006, it would turn out to be his last moments alive. Two shot gun blasts, one to the stomach, another to his back, took LaChapelle's life.

The entire family, including LaChappelle's sister Cheryl Rebello and his dad, Jon LaChappelle, Sr., are still devastated by the horrific crime. And they're trying to wade through international red tape to get some answers.

"We're just waiting for justice. They owe it to him. I mean like I said he loved it there. I mean it's the least they could do is to give him justice," said Cheryl Rebello, LaChappelle's sister.

"We can’t go into another country and force them to enforce their law," said Jon LaChappelle Sr.

Three months after the murder, two men were arrested. One was LaChappelle's assistant, who goes by "James." The other was the man authorities say James hired to pull the trigger. But why? This is where the investigation takes a dramatic turn.

"I'm mad at the people who took him from us. They had no right. They did it for greed. They had no right to do it," Rebello said.

Monday night on Eyewitness News at 11 you'll see the shocking twist; is this a murder-for-hire case from 8,000 miles away? And hear from U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, as he tries to help the family in their pursuit of justice.

Watch tonight's Target 12 exclusive, "Who Killed Jon LaChappelle?" tonight on Eyewitness News at 11 p.m. and on our sister station Fox Providence at 10 p.m.