Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Pawtucket man, Victor Colebut, has been found guilty in Providence County Superior Court for the murder of his girlfriend, Kristine Ohler, in 2020. The verdict was reached on February 24, 2025, after a five-day jury trial presided over by Superior Court Justice Joseph A. Montalbano.
Colebut, aged 46, was convicted of domestic second-degree murder, domestic assault (third offense), and domestic criminal violation of a no-contact order (third offense). He is currently held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions awaiting sentencing on April 28, 2025.
“This defendant brutally took Kristine Ohler’s life in a senseless act of rage,” stated Attorney General Neronha. “Perpetrators of domestic abuse seek to exert control over their victims and often will go to extreme measures to maintain it. While nothing can bring Kristine back to her family, I hope they can find some semblance of peace knowing that the defendant will be held accountable. I am grateful to the jury and to the Pawtucket Police Department for their efforts in this case.”
The prosecution demonstrated that Colebut strangled Ohler to death at his home. On February 17, 2020, emergency services responded to a call reporting an unknown medical emergency at Colebut's residence. Upon arrival, police found Ohler unresponsive with visible facial injuries. Despite CPR efforts and transportation to Miriam Hospital by rescue personnel, she was pronounced dead.
Colebut was detained at the scene and later admitted he had argued with Ohler while intoxicated. Neighbors reported hearing arguments from his residence earlier that night.
His contact with Ohler violated a No Contact Order issued in 2020 following an incident of physical violence between them.
“The Pawtucket Police Department works tirelessly to keep our communities safe and to seek justice when tragedies like this occur,” said Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves. “I am thankful for the hard work of our detectives as well as the Attorney General’s Office throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case.”
Assistant Attorney General Shannon Signore and Special Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Burke led the prosecution alongside Detectives Hans L. Cute (Ret.) and David Silva (Ret.) from the Pawtucket Police Department.