RI Woman One Step Closer to Exhuming Mother's Remains - And Getting Answers About "Suspicious" Death

RI Woman One Step Closer to Exhuming Mother's Remains - And Getting Answers About "Suspicious" Death

Rhode Islander Lauren Lee Malloy says she is hopeful the state is now getting closer to possibly solving a “cold case” — her mother Lori Lee "Sled Dog" Malloy's death nearly 30 years ago. 

As GoLocal reported in May, despite the original medical examiner’s report ruling the death as "natural," Malloy obtained another forensic pathologist’s opinion that the case should be reexamined. 

In June, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office told Malloy it would reexamine the circumstances around her mother’s death. 

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Now, Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) officials have informed Malloy the process is moving forward to exhume her mother’s remains. 

Malloy was informed the following by a staff member at RIDOH on October 12. 

“Dr. Chirkov approved the AG’s motion to be filed today [sic] I asked for their estimate for turnaround and their answer was pretty vague, but they did say they will let us know when they are planning, as we have to be there,” said the state employee. 

This week, Malloy told GoLocal she is encouraged by the developments and is awaiting next steps. 

“It’s been over two years since the fight for my mom began. I’ve had more doors shut on me than I can count, from homicide detectives to state prosecutors, Senatorial staff members, Congressmen and more,” said Malloy. “But here’s the thing, I don’t care about titles — I care about justice. I promised my mom I wouldn’t back down, stood beside her grave and told her that no matter how dark things got she would get her day. That day is almost here.”

“I am incredibly grateful to the East Providence Police Department (EPPD), AG and MEs Offices for taking a second look and being willing to take a chance on modern science and methodologies. Beyond them, I am forever thankful to my mom’s core case team members from Unsolved R.I., Uncovered, Cold Case Digital Advocacy, the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI) and The Licensed Private Detectives Association of Rhode Island (LPDARI); for lessons learned from friends and fellow advocates at DNASolves; to the many true crime podcasters who stepped up to help raise awareness, both nationally and internationally; and to the thousands of individuals who signed the original Change.org petition to reopen my mom’s case,” said Malloy. “Together, we stand for justice for my mother, Lori Lee Malloy, and the many other cold case victims across and beyond our state. “

“My mom’s many loved ones and I eagerly await the Court’s decision and are ready for whatever comes next,” she added. 

This week, RIDOH referred any comment to the RI Attorney General’s office — and the AG’s office told GoLocal it could not comment as it is an ongoing investigation. 

 

Searching for Answers

Malloy told GoLocal she is simply seeking justice for her mother, who died under what East Providence police noted were “suspicious” circumstances in 1993.

East Providence police reported the following at the time of her mother's death:

“Some of the suspicious conditions were the fact that the door was apparently left open, there were small tufts of the victim's hair found all around the apartments, she was found nude on the bathroom floor, with slices of bread all around her. The victim herself has pieces of hair wrapped around her left hand and around one foot. The refrigerator in the kitchen was found to be unplugged and there was food still inside. There were two empty glasses found on the table and a small tub (plastic) of some sort of food salad, also the faucet in the bathroom was running freely."

“At this time, until the investigation should perhaps prove otherwise, the detective division is investigating this matter as a homicide,” they continued. 

An investigation never took place, however, as the death has ruled “natural."

Latest for Malloy

As for how her mom got the nickname “Sled Dog” — Malloy told GoLocal the following. 

"The love of her life was a military veteran and a mechanic in Alaska working on trucks," said Malloy. "So she hitchhiked across the U.S. to be with him and she lived out there for some time."

"He had a friend who did some Iditarod. She loved the dogs, and that's how she got the nickname," said Malloy. 

"My mom had so many different circles of people -- she loved bikes and her friends and just being on the open road," said Malloy. 

Lori Lee "Sled Dog" Malloy would have turned 60 next month. 

Lauren Lee Malloy was just 18 months old when she died.