Man found dead outside was in Providence for mental health treatment

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI) — The family of a man who was found dead outside in the bitter cold on the streets of downtown Providence last month spoke with 12 News on Thursday about their lost loved one.

Early on the morning of Jan. 28, police responded to Washington Street after receiving reports of an unresponsive man in freezing temperatures.

According to a police report obtained by 12 News, an employee at a nearby business called police, saying she had spoken to the man around 3:15 a.m. but ran back outside to check on him after a delivery driver walked into the store saying he wasn’t breathing.

When officers arrived, they found 48-year-old Ryan Boisvert lying on the sidewalk under a blanket. He was pronounced dead shortly afterward. Police said Boisvert had no visible signs of injury and was surrounded by several medication bottles prescribed under his name.

STORY: Man found dead outside in Providence

Ryan’s older brother, Richard James Boisvert Jr., said the pain of that morning is part of a much longer story.

“Mental illness is tough,” he explained. “When someone’s got a broken leg, you see a cast. When someone’s having a hard time in their head, you don’t see it.”

The last several years have not been easy for the Boisvert family. Richard said their father died in 2022 of a heart attack following a decade-long battle with cancer. Through it all, they remained tight-knit, leaning on each other for support — but over time, Ryan’s mental health struggles became increasingly difficult.

“He was positive. He wasn’t showing signs of depression or anything, but he was just hiding it, I guess, and it came to a boiling point, and that’s why we’re here,” Richard said.

Richard Boisvert Jr. speaks with 12 News on Feb. 12, 2026.

The last time Richard saw Ryan was on a Thursday, when he dropped him off at a Providence hospital to receive help. But when he called the hospital the next day, he was told his brother wasn’t there. Richard quickly filed a missing persons report with Narragansett police.

A few days later, the family got a call informing them that Ryan had been found dead in Providence.

BACKGROUND: Man found dead in cold was reported missing in Narragansett

“He kept declining and declining and became someone I almost didn’t know anymore,” Richard said. “Then it ended this way. I love him to death. The whole family is heartbroken.”

He described Ryan’s death as “inconceivable,” questioning how he could have ended up on the street. Richard clarified that his brother was not homeless, but reportedly left the hospital without his wallet or phone.

Although many questions remain unanswered, Richard said he and his family are still trying to process their grief.

“It’s our new reality, and we’re trying to get back to normal, but it’s hard,” he said.

The cause of Ryan’s death remains unclear, but Richard said the medications found near his brother were prescribed for his mental health treatment.

Richard described his brother as well-loved and a diligent worker. He said growing up with Ryan was peaceful and that they never even got in a fist fight, but life “just got turned upside down.”

Richard Boisvert Jr. and Ryan Boisvert. (Courtesy: Richard Boisvert Jr.)

Richard expressed gratitude for the support he and his family have received from the community and the police.

“The outpouring of texts and messages, I can’t even respond to so many,” he said. “That makes me feel good. Especially people I haven’t heard from in years.”

He also thanked the employee at the nearby business who contacted Providence police about his brother.

“My family is very grateful,” Richard said. “That had to be tough. I was in the military, so I’ve seen some stuff. I can imagine that was difficult for [her], but [she] took care of my brother before he died — literally an hour before he died, [she] had contact with him.”

He said he hasn’t been in contact with that person, as it’s too difficult right now as he grieves, but he’d like to speak with her at some point.

“Thank you. I’m sorry you had to go through this. I know how hard it is to see a body. I don’t want this to haunt you. Thank you. You’re amazing, and we are very grateful.”