Danielle and Jennifer Pamula: Rhode Island twin sisters arrested for killing dad over argument about cats

'I had to do it,' said Jennifer Pamula when authorities arrived at the crime scene
UPDATED APR 4, 2023
Twin sisters Danielle Pamula (L) and Jennifer Pamula (R) face first-degree murder charges over the death of their father Joseph Pamula (inset) (WPRI Screenshot, Holt Funeral Home)
Twin sisters Danielle Pamula (L) and Jennifer Pamula (R) face first-degree murder charges over the death of their father Joseph Pamula (inset) (WPRI Screenshot, Holt Funeral Home)

Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised

WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND: Twin sisters from Rhode Island have been arrested for allegedly killing their 70-year-old father whose body was found in their home. Danielle Pamula, 38, said she found her twin, Jennifer Pamula, and her father Joseph Pamula lying on the floor of their home in Woonsocket on January 30, after she woke up.

Danielle claimed that before she took a nap, her twin and her father got into an argument about "selling the house and getting rid of 12 cats." Pills were found near Jennifer's body and she was found unresponsive while garden shears were found sticking out of Joseph's body, reported WPRI-12.

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Danielle confessed to involvement in father's murder 

"I had to do it," said Jennifer when authorities arrived at the crime scene, as per the court documents. She was later charged with first-degree domestic murder after she was shifted to the hospital. Following Jennifer's arrest, her twin Danielle later confessed to her involvement in Joseph's murder, according to WPRI-12. 

Special Assistant Attorney General Jessica Villella said, "Ultimately, when confronted about matching injuries on her hand as well her as her twin sisters' hand, they both had injuries in this incident. [Danielle] admitted to police they had both taken part in the killing of their father," according to People.

Joseph was an accomplished guitarist

Joseph's obituary notes described him as a "kind and social man." The note further read that he "was a warehouse worker for local companies that included Tupperware, Ann & Hope, and most recently, TriLiteral," and added that he was "an accomplished guitarist who performed with several bands throughout the years, could be found at many open mic nights, and always enjoyed going for walks."

Joseph also suffered blunt force trauma in addition to the injuries on his neck from the garden shears. According to Woonsocket authorities, the department has responded to several minor incidents at the Pamula household. "There were several minor incidents between them … disagreements over family issues. But none of those issues rose to the level where anyone was assaulted or was violent," said Thomas Oates, the Woonsocket Police Chief. The twin sisters are currently being held without bail.

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