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Louis Coleman Facing Federal Charge In Kidnapping, Death Of Jassy Correia

BOSTON (CBS) – United States Attorney Andrew Lelling revealed gruesome new details in the kidnapping and death of Jassy Correia as federal charges were announced against suspect Louis Coleman. Due to the federal charges, Coleman is now facing a mandatory life sentence and possibly the death penalty.

Correia, 23, was found dead Thursday. She was last seen alive early February 24 leaving a nightclub in Boston's Theater District, where she had been celebrating her 23rd birthday.

Coleman Correia
Louis Coleman and Jassy Correia.

Lelling said at a Sunday press conference that Coleman is seen on surveillance video carrying Correia's body into his Providence apartment around 4:30 a.m. on February 24. Correia is never seen leaving the building.

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It appears Correia died from blunt force trauma and strangulation, Lelling said. The windshield in Coleman's car was cracked, and prosecutors said it appears Correia put up a fight before her death.

Coleman returned to the apartment building on Tuesday with Walmart shopping bags. A receipt allegedly shows that Coleman bought several items, including three protective suits, duct tape, surgical gloves, safety goggles, an odor respirator and bleach.

On Thursday, footage allegedly shows Coleman wheel a suitcase away from the apartment, to the elevator, and to his car. Later in the day Thursday, Coleman was stopped on Interstate 95 in Delaware.

Louis Coleman
Police arrest kidnapping suspect Louis Coleman in Delaware, Feb. 28, 2019 (WBZ-TV)

When police asked if anyone else is in the car with him, Coleman allegedly said something to the effect of "She's in the trunk." Correia's body was found wrapped in a sofa cushion cover in the vehicle.

Lelling said Corriea was bruised, bound, and covered in a substance believed to be baking soda. Based on initial testing, Lelling said there are no signs Correia was sexually assaulted.

Coleman had a large bandage on his face at the time of his arrest. When asked about it, he allegedly replied, "It's from the girl."

Police found multiple items in the car, including a pair of new long-handled loppers, plastic garbage bags, a red plastic gas container, a butane lighter, black gloves, charcoal air purifiers, air fresheners, tinted safety glasses, cloth work-gloves, a new set of pliers, a laptop, a computer hard-drive/tower, and disinfectant wipes.

Coleman is now charged with kidnapping resulting in death and will appear in federal court. If convicted, Coleman faces a mandatory life sentence and he is eligible for the death penalty.

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