Raymond Nels Nelson
Raymond Nels Nelson (1922 - June 1, 1981) Warwick bureau manager of Rhode Island's Providence Journal when tapped to join the staff of candidate for Senate Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island.
Son of Swedish immigrants, Nelson never attended college. Started at The Journal as a typist after his honorable discharge from the Navy. When Pell was elected Nelson went to Washington as his administrative assistant. When Nelson openly declared himself a gay man, Pell, an active supporter of gay rights, relegated him to a lesser job in a windowless basement office of the Senate Rules Committee.
Nelson was murdered in his apartment in northwest Washington D.C. at 701 Quincy Street, NE, in Washington. The case is still open and there is a $25,000 reward for information. Nelson was 59-years-old.