Woman Found In Fridge Shot In Shower A Week Before: Court Docs

PROVIDENCE, RI — A woman whose body was found in a fridge inside a Providence apartment was shot by her boyfriend while she was showering the week prior, according to court documents released Tuesday.

Nathan Cooper, 53, of Providence, was charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend Sherbert Maddox, 40. He was also charged with possession of a stolen firearm and carrying a firearm without a license.

Cooper told police he and Maddox were smoking marijuana laced with crack cocaine on March 16 before he shot her, WPRI 12 reported.

After she stopped breathing, Cooper wrapped her body in blankets, took the shelves out of the fridge and stuffed Maddox's body inside, according to court documents. Cooper said he never called 911 because he didn't trust the police, authorities told WPRI 12.

Cooper was arrested on March 22 when police went to the apartment to check on Maddox's well-being.

Maj. David Lapatin in a news conference last week said officers found Maddox's body wrapped in saran wrap and towels inside the fridge.

Cooper was also home, and police questioned him before getting a search warrant and later arresting him, police said. Police said they also found a handgun, which they believe was used in the killing.

Police said they since filed a request to search Cooper's two cell phones in connection to the homicide.

Cooper is being held without bail pending his next court date.