Matthew Gumkowski, of West Warwick, RI, has been charged with the murder of 50-year-old Attleboro resident Joseph Kilrow, who was found on the floor of his apartment last week after firefighters battled a blaze there.

During a press conference this morning, District Attorney Sam Sutter and Attleboro Acting Police Chief Kyle Heagney announced that 30-year-old Gumkowski allegedly committed the murder, then set the room of Kilrow's apartment on fire to cover it up. He has been charged with first-degree murder, arson and armed robbery.

Gumkowski, who was allegedly the last person to see Kilrow alive, was already being held by the Attleboro Police Department on other charges, unrelated to the July 10 murder and before he was named as a "person of interest" by the District Attorney's office. Gumkowski will appear in court to be arraigned on the new charges at a later date, according to Assistant District Attorney Steven Butts. 

Kilrow, who lived in the third-floor rooming house, was found on the floor of his room stabbed, strangled and with his throat slashed, according to state and local investigators, who responded to the scene just after Kilrow's body was found by Attleboro Fire Department firefighters.

Kilrow was memorialized during a funeral Mass Monday at St. John's the Baptist Church in Quincy. Kilrow was born and raised in Dorchester and lived in Quincy for many years. He worked counseling those struggling to overcome alcoholism and drug addiction.

Friends posted their condolences to Kilrow's family on the Dennis Sweeney Funeral Home's online guest book.  

"This situation is indescribable and I cannot say sorry enough for your loss," a woman named Dawn wrote in a message to the Kilrow family. "May Joey's face and smile stay with you whenever you think of him,and remind you of the years he lived rather than the sadness his passing brings. Peace be with you all."

Maureen Watts, who reportedly knew Kilrow, said in a message to his brother Paul Kilrow: "Dear Paul: I want to express our sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your brother, Joey. He was so young it must be a great shock to you. I am sure you have a lot of happy memories and you must hold on them right now."

Donations in Kilrow's memory may be made to the North Cottage Program, Inc. 69 East Main St., Norton, MA. 02766. For directions and online guest book, please visit dennissweeneyfuneralhome.com. 617-773-2728