Up First from NPR Brown University Suspect Found Dead, Epstein Files Deadline, Kennedy Center Renamed
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Dec 19, 2025 
Ben Burke, a reporter for Ocean State Media, shares haunting details about the suspect in the Brown University shooting, discovered dead in a storage locker. Stephen Fowler delves into the Epstein Files Transparency Act, explaining the expected release of critical records amid Congressional pressures. Meanwhile, Andrew Limbong reports on the Kennedy Center's controversial name change to honor Donald Trump, exploring the board's governance shift and the public's reaction. It's a deep dive into pressing issues shaping the news landscape.
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Reddit Tip Led To Break In Shooting Case
- A Reddit post by a witness helped track the Brown University suspect via his vehicle and license plate reader data.
- Ben Burke reports the suspect, Claudio Neves Valente, was later found dead in a New Hampshire storage locker.
Connections Don't Equal Clear Motive
- Valente had prior ties to Brown and to the MIT victim from study in Portugal, yet motive remains unclear.
- Authorities believe he acted alone and likely killed himself before capture, complicating motive answers.
Evasion Tactics Slowed Capture
- The suspect used tactics to avoid detection: a mask, swapped plates, rental car, burner phone, and cash.
- Authorities called the methods sophisticated but maintain he likely acted alone.