Autopsy Shows Brown University Shooting Suspect Died Two Days Before Discovery

Authorities say the Brown University shooting suspect died two days before his body was found. Police confirmed the man was Claudio Neves Valente, a 48‑year‑old Portuguese national. He was found dead on Thursday night inside a New Hampshire storage unit. Officials said he died from a self‑inflicted gunshot wound. The case links two violent attacks in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Investigators said the timeline became clear after the autopsy. It showed Valente died on Tuesday. That is the same day MIT professor Nuno F. G. Loureiro died from gunshot wounds. The findings raised new questions about the suspect’s movements and motive.

Autopsy Findings Deepen Mystery Around Brown University Shooting Suspect

Officials said Valente was the person believed to have opened fire at Brown University last Saturday. According to reports from the Associated Press, two students were killed and nine others were hurt. Police said Valente once studied physics at Brown more than 20 years ago. He dropped out and had no recent ties to the school.

Investigators believe he then traveled to Brookline, Massachusetts. There, they say he shot MIT professor Nuno Loureiro on Monday night. Loureiro had known Valente years earlier in Portugal. Both attended the same university program between 1995 and 2000.

The autopsy confirmed Valente died the next day. His body was found two days later. This gap created confusion for police, who were searching across several states. Officers said they tracked him after a witness recognized him from security footage.

Authorities in Portugal said they were shocked by the news. They confirmed they were helping U.S. investigators. But they also said the motive remains unclear. Police in Rhode Island and Massachusetts said they found no evidence of other suspects.

Why the Case Raises New Concerns for Campus Safety

The case sparked renewed concerns about campus security. The shooting at Brown happened in an older building with few cameras. Officials said this made the investigation harder. They also said the suspect used license plate tricks to avoid detection.

According to officials, investigators used street‑camera network data to track him. This helped police find his rental car and later his path to Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The search ended when surveillance footage showed him entering the storage facility where he died.

The deaths of the two Brown students shook the campus. One was a sophomore. The other was a freshman who hoped to attend medical school. Six injured students remained in stable condition by Thursday. Three had already been released from the hospital.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What did the autopsy reveal about the suspect?

The autopsy showed the suspect died on Tuesday. That was two days before police found his body. He died from a self‑inflicted gunshot wound.

Q2: Who was the Brown University shooting suspect?

Police identified him as Claudio Neves Valente. He was a Portuguese national who once studied at Brown in 2000–01. He had no current ties to the school.

Q3: How were police able to track the suspect?

A witness recognized him from video released by police. That tip helped officers find his car. Surveillance tools then traced his movements across several states.

Q4: What is known about the link to the MIT professor?

The suspect and professor knew each other as students in Portugal. Investigators say the suspect shot the professor on Monday night. They have not confirmed a motive.

Q5: How has the community responded?

The Brown and MIT communities expressed deep grief. Officials offered support to students and families. They said the investigation will continue until all answers are found.

Trusted Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, BBC News, statements from Rhode Island and Massachusetts officials.