Two Men Indicted for the Brutal Murder of Pregnant Woman Found in Rhode Island Pond
In a shocking and tragic incident, two men have been indicted for the murder of a pregnant woman in Rhode Island. The statewide grand jury has charged Gary Gromkiewicz, 35, of Lincoln, and Michael Lambert, 46, of Pawtucket with murder and conspiracy. The victim, 34-year-old Leila Duarte Da Luz, was found dead in Carbuncle Pond last year.
According to prosecutors, Gromkiewicz and Lambert picked up Da Luz in Brockton during the early hours of December 21, 2022. At some point, Da Luz suffered serious injuries, and the two men allegedly left her in the pond. Her lifeless body was discovered by an angler later that day. It took several days to identify her through a missing persons report filed in Brockton.
The medical examiner’s investigation revealed that Da Luz was alive when she entered the water. Her cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma and drowning. Heartbreakingly, Da Luz was not only a victim of a heinous crime but also pregnant with Gromkiewicz’s child.
Cell phone data played a crucial role in the investigation, showing Gromkiewicz and Lambert driving across Rhode Island on the morning of the incident. They made multiple stops at gas stations and convenience stores, with a significant link established to Coventry, where Da Luz was eventually found.
The indictment signifies a pivotal step in the ongoing investigation and will likely bring some measure of justice to the victim and her loved ones. Both Gromkiewicz and Lambert are currently being held without bail at the ACI and are scheduled to be arraigned later this month.
This shocking crime has deeply affected the community, raising concerns about the safety of pregnant women and the need to address domestic violence. It serves as a grim reminder of the importance of fostering a society that protects and supports its most vulnerable members.
As authorities delve further into the case, more details are expected to emerge. With the wheels of justice now turning, the trial and its outcome will be closely watched by the public. For now, the community mourns the loss of a young woman and her unborn child, while hoping that justice will ultimately prevail.
