Esteban Carpio was born on September 30, 1978, in Boston, Massachusetts. 

On April 17, 2005, Esteban Carpio was questioned by Detective Sergeant James L. Allen and another detective at the Providence Police headquarters. They were investigating Carpio for the stabbing of an 85-year-old woman named Madeline Gatta. While the second detective stepped out of the room to get water for Carpio, a struggle took place. During the struggle, Carpio shot Detective Allen twice, which resulted in his death. After the shooting, Carpio jumped out of the third-floor window.

Following the incident, Carpio was taken to court for his arraignment. He appeared in a mask due to injuries sustained from his jump. His family claimed that the police used excessive force during his arrest. The police chief stated that Carpio’s injuries were caused by his fall. A detective testified that he had punched Carpio multiple times during the arrest, breaking bones in Carpio's face. An FBI investigation later found that the police did not use excessive force.

On June 27, 2006, Carpio was found guilty of murdering Detective Allen and for the stabbing of Madeline Gatta. The jury did not accept his insanity defense. Carpio was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In 2012, the state Supreme Court denied Carpio’s appeal. The court noted that his lawyers chose not to seek a new trial. In 2017, he tried to appeal to a federal judge. He argued that the jury made a mistake and that he was not in control of his actions due to mental illness at the time of the crimes. However, this appeal was dismissed.