WPRO News and The Associated Press
A judge Wednesday denied bail for the suspect charged in the 2013 killing of a 66-year-old Warwick man whose body was found stuffed in a trash barrel at a park.
Warwick police on Tuesday announced that 33-year-old Michael Soares, of Pawtucket, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of John “Jack” Fay. Soares was ordered held without bail during his arraignment Wednesday morning.
“He was a good, really smart, intelligent guy and he would talk to anybody,” said Fay’s son, Dan Fay following a news conference held by police in Warwick. “He was a good man, you know? He’s going to be missed, I mean, he’s been missed, and I feel bad for people who didn’t get to meet him.”
Fay had gone on one of his frequent runs in Warwick City Park on May 16, 2013, when he disappeared. His body was found the next day in a trash barrel, covered with brush, behind the backstop at a ballfield.
Warwick police chief Col. Rick Rathbun later said DNA evidence helped lead police to the arrest of Soares, who was referred to the public defender’s office. Police said t hat Fay’s death was especially brutal.
“He suffered blunt force trauma from a 2.5 pound hammer that was left at the scene, said Warwick Police Detective Captain Joseph Hopkins. “The hammer had been customized to appear like a Nordic hammer, or a war hammer, similar to those seen in fantasy games. He also suffered numerous stab wounds. He was dragged off the path and concealed.”
Police said that Soares is believed to have spray painted a green truck with black paint during the intervening years, and they are asking anyone who may have seen the truck in City Park or elsewhere to contact them by calling 401-732-TIPS, OR 401-732-8477.
