WPD Charges Perkins With Murder in Charlotte Lester Disappearance

WARWICK, RI — Warwick Police have charged Mark Perkins, 64, of 29 Staples Ave., with murder in the disappearance of Charlotte Lester, last seen in 2022 and known to frequent the man’s  home.

On Sunday, Nov. 17, WPD officers learned new information regarding the two-and-a-half-year investigation into the disappearance of Charlotte Lester, 44, in 2022.

Perkins’ home has been the recent focus of the missing person investigation into Lester’s fate. Friends and family organized a search for Lester, last seen May 16 2022, and posted an online fundraiser to help pay for their search. Warwick Police last reported securing a warrant to search 29 Staples Avenue in Warwick in late May 2022, where Lester was known to frequent.

On Wednesday, Nov. 20, at about 09:14am,  Warwick officers executed an arrest warrant based on the new information, and took Perkins into custody without incident.   Warwick Police have charged Perkins with First Degree Murder. Officers will transport him to the Kent County District Courthouse today for an arraignment scheduled for 2 p.m.

Charlotte Lester Investigation Remains Active

Police noted the investigation is active, and stated they would not release additional details.

“We would like to commend the members of our Detective Division, the Attorney General’s Office, and, most importantly, the family, friends, and loved ones of Charlotte Lester for their continued hard work, dedication, and cooperation throughout this entire investigative process,” Warwick Police said in a statement about Perkins’s arrest.

In August 2022, Warwick Police charged Mark Perkins with assault, larceny, vandalism and disorderly conduct for attacking talkshow host John DePetro in front of Perkin’s home.

Lester was reported missing Thursday, May 19, 2022, after she failed to contact friends for several days. Lester’s dog was located abandoned in the Elmwood Ave. area of the City on Wednesday night May, 18, 2022.

 According to the Gofundme page funding searcher’s efforts to find her, Lester, a mother, a sister, a daughter, and friend, committed herself to 20 acts a kindness a day. She was a lover of animals who volunteered at a soup kitchen and was the first female football coach in South Kingston. She was also very involved with her church.

Friends and family have also posted a Charlotte Lester search page on Facebook to share up to date information on the search.

Police asked anyone who has information that may contribute to the investigation, regardless of its significance, to contact the Warwick Police Department, at 401-468-4200 and request to speak with WPD Det. Parmenter.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Warwick Police by downloading the Warwick PD app on your Android/Apple device and selecting “Submit a Tip”. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by using a third-party system called Tips411. To use Tips411, simply text your information to 847411.