Police say the man suspected of carrying out a deadly shooting at Brown University last week has been found dead in the US state of New Hampshire, bringing an end to a six-day multi-state search.
Authorities identified the suspect as Claudio Neves Valente, 48, a Portuguese national who studied at Brown University around 25 years ago. His body was discovered inside a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, according to law enforcement officials.
Investigators believe Valente died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Two firearms and a satchel were found near his body, while evidence recovered from a nearby vehicle reportedly linked him to the earlier crime scenes.
Links to Multiple Shootings
Police also believe Valente was responsible for the fatal shooting of an MIT professor at the victim’s home in Brookline, Massachusetts, two days after the Brown University incident. Authorities said both the suspect and the victim had studied at the same university in Portugal in the late 1990s.
CCTV footage and tips from the public helped investigators trace Valente through a rental vehicle, ultimately leading them to his location.
No Current University Affiliation
Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that Valente was enrolled at the university from late 2000 to early 2001 while pursuing a PhD in physics. She stressed that he had no current connection to the institution.
Investigation Ongoing
Despite the discovery of the suspect’s body, officials said many questions remain unanswered. The FBI confirmed that hundreds of agents assisted local authorities during the manhunt, describing the suspect as someone who took deliberate steps to avoid detection.
Prosecutors said Valente was using a phone that made tracking difficult, suggesting a high level of planning.
Immigration Programme Paused
Following the case, US officials announced a temporary suspension of the diversity visa lottery programme. Homeland Security officials said Valente entered the United States through the scheme in 2017 and later obtained permanent residency.
The programme, which grants up to 50,000 visas annually to applicants from countries with lower immigration rates to the US, is now under review.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the attacks, and investigations in multiple states are continuing.