Louis Coleman Sentenced In Jassy Correia Kidnapping, Death

BOSTON, MA — A former Providence man found guilty in the fatal kidnapping of 23-year-old Jassy Correia in 2019 will spend the rest of his life in prison, a federal judge decided Tuesday.

Louis Coleman, 36, was charged with one count of kidnapping resulting in death Correia's death and was found guilty in a jury trial over the summer. Federal judge Dennis Saylor IV said Coleman would serve a life sentence at a federal prison in a West Coast state, and will not be eligible for parole.

Coleman kidnapped the young mother from outside the Boston nightclub Venu along Warrenton Street in February 2019, where she was waiting for a rideshare car after spending the night out with friends celebrating her 23rd birthday. The case garnered national attention and set off a multi-state manhunt.

According to surveillance footage from early Sunday morning Feb. 24, 2019, Correia was last seen standing on the sidewalk when a man approached her and led her to a car parked nearby, at one point stopping to carry her on his shoulders.

Police later released surveillance footage from outside Coleman's apartment on Chestnut Street in Providence, showing him carrying a body matching the description of Correia from his car to his apartment.

Correia's body was found five days later inside a suitcase in the trunk of Coleman's car while he was driving along I-95 in Delaware. Former U.S. Attorney in Boston Andrew Lelling said police found her body naked, bound, bruised and covered in what was believed to be baking soda.

Prosecutors said Correia died from blunt force trauma and strangulation. Coleman had a scratch on his face that he told authorities came from her, Lelling had said.

Coleman initially pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. Coleman's defense attorneys claimed Correia's death was the result of a fight inside his car, and said Correia was the aggressor.

READ MORE:

• Jassy Correia Missing: Police Searching For Person Of Interest (Feb. 27)
• Police ID Rhode Island Man As Suspect in Jassy Kidnapping
• Louis Coleman Arrested In Delaware (Feb. 28)
• Police Arrest Main Suspect In Jassy Correia's Kidnapping, Murder (Feb. 28)
• Coleman To Face Charges In Rhode Island (March 1)
• More Details Emerge About Louis Coleman And What Was Found In His Home (March 3)