The community of Newport, Rhode Island, has been left shaken following the tragic death of Terry Costello, whose body was discovered inside a hotel room at the Harbor Base Inn earlier this week. The heartbreaking case has prompted an active homicide investigation as authorities work to uncover the circumstances surrounding the death of the 85-year-old man.
According to the Rhode Island State Medical Examiner’s Office, Terry Costello was officially identified as the deceased victim, and his death has been ruled a homicide. The ruling has intensified the ongoing criminal investigation and left loved ones mourning the sudden and tragic loss of a man whose life ended under violent circumstances.
The investigation began on Monday, May 18, 2026, when the Newport Police Department received a report involving a 66-year-old male who had reportedly jumped from the Mount Hope Bridge. As officers worked to investigate that incident, they were later dispatched around 10:10 a.m. to the Harbor Base Inn, formerly known as the Pineapple Inn, located at 372 Connell Highway in Newport.
When officers arrived at the hotel, they conducted a follow-up investigation that led them to Room 132, where they discovered Terry Costello deceased inside the room. Authorities later confirmed that the injuries he suffered were consistent with homicide, though officials have not publicly released specific details regarding the nature of the injuries or the circumstances leading up to his death.
At this time, Newport Police have not announced whether a suspect has been formally identified or taken into custody. Investigators continue gathering evidence, reviewing information, and conducting interviews as they attempt to piece together what happened inside the hotel room. Officials have also not released a possible motive, emphasizing that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
News of the tragedy has left many in Newport saddened and searching for answers. Family members, friends, and members of the community are now coping with the loss of Terry Costello while awaiting further developments in the case. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the investigation to contact the Newport Police Department as detectives continue pursuing answers and justice in the homicide investigation.
