Nineteen-year-old John Phillips was found dead and surrounded by dozens of weapons in a Rhode Island parking lot on October 28, 1986. His death was ruled a suicide, and for 15 years, the case was considered closed. But in 2001, after taking a closer look at the case files, detectives realized something didn’t quite add up… Today, they’re still working to uncover exactly what… or who… brought John to his death that October day.
Courtesy of Pawtucket Police Cold Case Unit
Episode Info
If you have any information about the suspicious death of John Phillips in North Kingstown, Rhode Island in October 1986, you can reach Captain MacCoy directly at JohnPhillipsNK@gmail.com or you can call the North Kingstown PD at 401-294-3316 extension 8211. You can also send a direct message to detectives through the facebook page located here.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or feeling suicidal, please reach out for help by calling the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, where trained counselors are available 24/7 to provide support
A photo of John. Courtesy: John Phillips NK Facebook group
A photo of John. Courtesy: John’s sister, Carol Phillips Marvel
A photo of John. Courtesy: John Phillips NK Facebook page
A photo of John fishing. Courtesy: John’s sister, Carol Phillips Marvel
A photo of the house where John was last seen alive. Photo taken by audiochuck staff.
John’s sister, Carol Phillips Marvel showing the tattoo she got in memory of John. Photo tajen by audiochuck staff.
A close-up of John’s sister, Carol’s, tattoo for John. It reads “Never hold a grudge // Love John // oxoxoxox.” Photo taken by audiochuck staff.
Episode Source Material
Original reporting by Madison Cavalchire
- The Providence Journal (Providence, RI): Man’s body, weapons found in N. Kingstown, by The Evening Bulletin via News Library.
- The Providence Journal (Providence, RI): Warwick man found slain atop a pile of firearms, by The Providence Journal via News Library.
- The Patch (North Kingstown, RI): NK Police Seeking Info on 1986 Cold Case Murder, by Samantha Turner.
- The Independent (Narragansett, South Kingstown, North Kingstown, RI): Cold case murders in NK get new investigative review, by Chris Church via News Library.
- The Standard-Times (North Kingston, RI): NKPD turn to Facebook to solve case – Department using new tools at their disposal, by Paul J. Spetrini.
- WPRI (Providence, RI): Man to his brother’s killer: Own up to what you’ve done.