Bio

William Sarmento was born in 1966 in the United States. He grew up in Providence, Rhode Island. Sarmento had a troubled childhood that showed signs of difficulties early on. As a young child, he exhibited bizarre and sometimes violent behavior that began in elementary school.

As a teenager, Sarmento's situation worsened. He often lived in unusual places, including sewers and abandoned houses. At one point, he even stayed in a dog house. This unstable living situation may have contributed to his erratic behavior. He developed an interest in dark themes, including a fascination with Satan, guns, and knives. He was known for reading the Bible frequently, which added to his complex personality.

His moods and actions became unpredictable during his teenage years, leading to alarming behaviors that caught the attention of those around him. Neighbors reported seeing him dress in military-style clothing and acting in ways that seemed aggressive or strange. Some described him as someone who would aggressively stab at objects, such as trees and houses, with knives.

Murder Story

William Sarmento killed two boys, Frankie Lee Barnes Jr. and Jason Wolf, in Providence, Rhode Island, during late 1987. Frankie was reported missing on November 4, 1987, when he did not return from a bike ride. His bicycle was found two weeks later hidden in tall grass near an abandoned brewery. On December 14, 1987, Jason disappeared after being sent to get the mail. His body was discovered on December 21, two miles from home, showing signs of being beaten.

While the police struggled to solve these cases, they received an anonymous letter. The letter provided a location and mentioned that Satan had commanded Sarmento to kill the boys. Following the letter's directions, searchers discovered Frankie’s body in a pond. His remains had multiple stab wounds. The envelope also contained a note with a taunting message suggesting Sarmento might have written it.

After reviewing the evidence, police named Sarmento as their key suspect. They learned he had a troubling history, including past violence, and he lived close to where the boys vanished. On December 29, police arrested him without incident. Sarmento was initially held without bond while undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.

Sarmento confessed to the killings, insisting that he was overwhelmed by visions of the devil. He was later found not guilty by reason of insanity and was confined indefinitely at the state Institute for Mental Health in Cranston. He remains in a mental health facility to this day.