In Loving Memory of Joseph Boutros

In Loving Memory of Joseph Boutros

The community of Newport is grieving the heartbreaking loss of 21-year-old Joseph Boutros, a student at Salve Regina University, whose life was tragically cut short on Monday.

According to authorities, officers with the Newport Police Department responded to a parking lot on Bellevue Avenue after receiving a call about an individual found unconscious inside a vehicle. When officers arrived, they discovered Joseph inside a running car while charging his phone. The vehicle was covered in snow, and the exhaust pipe was partially obstructed — a dangerous condition that can lead to the buildup of carbon monoxide inside a vehicle.

Joseph was immediately transported to Newport Hospital, where medical staff worked to save him. Despite their efforts, he was later pronounced deceased. Officials determined that the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning.

A Bright Life with Boundless Potential

At just 21 years old, Joseph Boutros stood at the threshold of his future. As a student at Salve Regina University, he was pursuing his education, building friendships, and shaping the path that lay ahead of him. College years are often filled with hope, ambition, and discovery — a time of becoming. Joseph was in the midst of that journey.

Friends and classmates remember him as kind-hearted and thoughtful, someone who carried himself with quiet warmth. Professors and peers alike saw in him the promise of a young man working toward his goals with dedication and determination. His sudden passing has left a profound emptiness across campus, where classrooms and common spaces now feel the weight of his absence.

A Community in Mourning

The loss of a young life resonates far beyond a single campus. In Newport and within the Salve Regina community, grief is shared collectively. Students, faculty, and local residents alike have expressed sorrow and extended condolences to Joseph’s family. Vigils, prayers, and heartfelt messages reflect the impact he made in his time there.

Carbon monoxide is often called the “silent killer” — colorless, odorless, and deadly. This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the hidden dangers that can arise in winter conditions, particularly when snow obstructs a vehicle’s exhaust system. Awareness and education may help prevent similar losses in the future, but for Joseph’s loved ones, the reality of this loss is deeply personal and immeasurable.

Remembering Joseph

Beyond the circumstances of his passing, Joseph Boutros will be remembered for who he was — a son, a friend, a student, and a young man filled with potential. His laughter, his aspirations, and the simple, everyday moments he shared with others now become treasured memories held close by those who loved him.

To his family, who now face an unimaginable grief, the community extends its deepest sympathies. Losing a child is a sorrow no words can fully comfort. May they find strength in the love that surrounds them and solace in the knowledge that Joseph’s life, though far too brief, touched many.

As Newport reflects on this tragedy, we honor Joseph’s memory with compassion and remembrance. May his spirit live on in the hearts of friends and family, in the halls of Salve Regina University, and in the countless lives he influenced in his 21 years.

Rest in peace, Joseph Boutros. You will not be forgotten.