Subject indicted for River Avenue homicide
Providence, RI- On March 31, 2015 members of the Providence Police and Fire Departments responded to the 3rd floor of 216 River Avenue for a check of well-being. Officers located Ashley Masi, age 24, unresponsive in her bedroom. Masi was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where she was pronounced deceased by way of strangulation.
After an extensive and thorough investigation by Providence Police Detectives, a subject was developed in this case and was identified at Daniel Tejeda, age 28. Tejeda is currently being held at the Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls.
During the investigation Providence Police learned that Tejeda was responding to an advertisement for escort services that Masi posted on backpage.com at the time of her murder. Providence Police Detectives have been monitoring backpage.com for months, and will continue to do so. During the months of March and April police netted a total of 35 arrests of men soliciting for sex on backpage.com. The Providence Police Department will continue their vigilant efforts to put an end to solicitation for sex on backpage.com.
“This case is yet another example of the outstanding police work that is done by members of the Providence Police Detective Bureau each and every day,” said Colonel Clements. “I commend our detectives who worked tirelessly on this case to bring the suspect to justice.”
This investigation was led by Providence Police Detectives Michael Otrando, Stephen Sullivan, Teddy Michael, and Retired Detective Sergeant James Marsland, under the leadership of Major David A. Lapatin and Detective Captain Michael E. Correia. The Rhode Island Department of Attorney General’s Office also assisted with this case.