The death of a Swansea man who died in Little Compton last October is now being investigated as a homicide.

Steven Velozo, 47, died following a party at his mother's Pottersville Road home on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. The Office of the Massachusetts Medical Examiner recently ruled that the cause of death was 'mechanical asphyxia,' which occurs when physical force interferes with the uptake or delivery of oxygen. The Rhode Island Attorney General's office confirmed Monday that it is investigating the death with the Little Compton Police Department; Little Compton police declined to comment on the matter.

Velozo, a former Somerset resident living in Swansea, worked as a food service director for Berkshire Healthcare. An accomplished bowler, he was a member of a four-man team that won the Massachusetts State Bowling Championship. He was also an accomplished chef and loved the Patriots and Red Sox.

His lifelong friend, James Gabus, said he will keep pressing officials for more information on the circumstances of his best friend's death.

“I’ve known him since he was a kid," he said. "I never saw him get into a fight in my life. He was not a violent guy."

“All we want is answers. It makes no sense.”