WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Two-and-a-half years after 44-year-old Charlotte Lester was last seen in Warwick, police announced Wednesday they found her remains. Police said a hunter led them to the location. “We always believed that something had happened to Charlotte but not having the remains was definitely a key here,” Commander Michael Lima said. 64-year-old Mark Perkins was taken into custody at Cumberland Farms on Post Road Wednesday morning. Perkins is charged with first-degree murder. Lester, an East Greenwich native, was listed as a missing person in May of 2022. Police said Lester was a companion of Perkins’ and frequented his home on Staples Avenue, which is a place detectives searched for some time after she disappeared. In August of 2022, Perkins was arrested outside of his home for charging at local radio host John DePetro with a lawnmower after DePetro confronted him about the case. “With the police being there for a month, things were found at the house and then we also found things in our investigation that was just a clear indication,” said Kathy Wilson, a spokeswoman for Lester’s family. Perkins is a suspect that was always thought to be involved by Lester’s family, friends, and police. “It happened exactly the way we thought it did, where we thought it did, by who,” Wilson said. During the week after Lester’s disappearance, her red truck was found parked at Kent Hospital, and her dog was found roaming in town. “Our detective division never let this go and I’m happy for Charlotte’s family, there’s some closure now and we hope there’s some justice for Charlotte,” Mayor Frank Picozzi said. Perkins’ next court date depends on the findings of a grand jury. He’s currently being held without bail. Categories: News, Rhode Island, Warwick