Claudio Neves Valente Identified as Brown University Shooting Suspect, Found Dead in New Hampshire Storage Facility

Authorities say the suspect in last weekend’s deadly Brown University shooting has been found dead in a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, bringing an end to a multi-day manhunt that spanned several states.

The suspect was identified as Claudio Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national and former Brown University student, according to federal and state officials.

Suspect Found Dead After Police Search

U.S. Attorney Leah Foley confirmed Thursday that Valente was deceased. Investigators believe he died by suicide and acted alone.

His body was discovered inside a storage unit he had rented in Salem, about 20 miles north of Boston, after a large law enforcement presence converged on the location. The FBI and local authorities assisted in the search.

Background and Identification

Officials said Valente attended Brown University more than two decades ago as a Ph.D. student in physics and was familiar with the academic building where the shooting occurred.

Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said a key tip came from an individual who encountered Valente inside a campus bathroom shortly after the shooting. That information led investigators to a rental car Valente had obtained in Massachusetts.

Store surveillance footage and rental records showed Valente wearing clothing consistent with images captured near the Brown University campus before and after the attack, authorities said.

Victims and Broader Investigation

Two students were killed and at least eight others were injured in the shooting at the Ivy League campus on Saturday, officials said.

Authorities also announced Thursday that they believe Valente was responsible for the fatal shooting of MIT professor Nuno Loureiro, who was found dead in his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, two days after the Brown University attack.

 

Foley said investigators have gathered substantial evidence linking Valente to Loureiro’s death. Officials noted that Valente and Loureiro may have attended the same university in Lisbon, Portugal, though the nature of any relationship remains unclear.

Motive Remains Unknown

Despite identifying the suspect, investigators say Valente’s motive remains unknown.

“I don’t think we have any idea why now, or why Brown, or why these students, or why this classroom,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha. “That is really unknown to us.”

Officials said they will release additional information if a clearer understanding of the motive emerges.

Ongoing Review and Public Appeal

Investigators said Valente fled the Brown University campus on foot following the shooting, prompting an extensive review of residential security footage due to limited surveillance cameras in the area.

Police previously released images of a masked individual believed to be the shooter and asked the public for assistance. An unrelated individual briefly detained earlier in the investigation was later released after being cleared.

Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains active, though there is no ongoing threat to the public.