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Missing Connecticut Mother Jennifer Dulos Declared Legally Dead Ahead of Ex-Partner's Girlfriend's Murder Trial
2024-01-12
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Jennifer Dulos, a Connecticut mother of five who went missing in May 2019, has been declared legally dead. The news comes just days before the trial of Michelle Troconis, the former girlfriend of Jennifer's estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, who is facing charges related to Jennifer's disappearance and presumed murder.
Jennifer Dulos was last seen on May 24, 2019, in New Canaan, Connecticut, after dropping her five children off at school. Although her body was never found, evidence of her blood in her garage and other locations led the state medical examiner to classify the case as a "homicide of violence." Jennifer was in the midst of a contentious divorce and a bitter custody battle when she vanished.
Authorities alleged that Fotis Dulos, her estranged husband, was responsible for her disappearance and subsequent presumed murder. They further asserted that Michelle Troconis, his then-girlfriend, conspired with him, created an alibi, assisted in cleaning up after the crime, and helped dispose of evidence.
Fotis Dulos was charged in January 2020 with felony murder and kidnapping in connection to his wife's disappearance. Tragically, he died by suicide at his home while free on bail a few weeks later. Meanwhile, Michelle Troconis faced charges of conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with physical evidence, and hindering prosecution. Her trial, which has faced numerous delays, is now set to commence.
Last October, a probate judge granted a request by Gloria Farber, Jennifer Dulos' 88-year-old mother and guardian of her children, to declare Jennifer legally dead to protect the family's assets. While Connecticut state statutes typically presume death after seven years of being missing, the judge concluded that Jennifer's case was an exception, stating that the "inescapable conclusion" is that Jennifer Dulos is dead.
At the time of her disappearance, Michelle Troconis was residing in the Farmington home that Jennifer and Fotis Dulos had once shared before Jennifer moved with their children to New Canaan and initiated divorce proceedings. Jennifer had also sought an emergency custody order, expressing her concerns for her family's safety, believing that Fotis was capable of taking their children and disappearing.
Despite court orders granting Fotis visitation with the children, he defied these orders by allowing Troconis and her daughter to be present during their meetings. This led one judge to criticize Fotis for exposing the children to Troconis and her daughter, disregarding prior court orders and the impact of his actions on the children.
Michelle Troconis has maintained her innocence and pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her attorney, Jon Schoenhorn, previously described her belief that the Duloses' divorce was "amicable" when she moved in with Fotis.
During the investigation, police stated that Michelle Troconis confirmed being a passenger in Fotis Dulos' truck, which was seen in surveillance videos showing him disposing of plastic garbage bags in several trash receptacles in Hartford on the evening Jennifer Dulos disappeared. Troconis claimed she was "on the phone" and not paying attention to Fotis Dulos' actions during that time.
In those garbage bags, investigators found numerous items soaked in Jennifer Dulos' blood, including clothing, cleaning supplies, and zip ties. DNA evidence linked Fotis Dulos to these bags, tape, and a glove, while Troconis' DNA was found on one of the bags. Police also noted that Fotis and Troconis had spent hours shuttling between their home and another property, claiming to be cleaning, on the same day.
Kent Mawhinney, a longtime friend and former attorney of Fotis Dulos, is also facing charges related to Jennifer Dulos' disappearance. He, too, has pleaded not guilty and may be called to testify for the prosecution during Troconis' trial.
As the trial begins, Jennifer Dulos' family and friends have issued a statement, emphasizing the importance of focusing on Jennifer, who left behind five children. They seek accountability and answers in a case that has garnered significant attention. The trial is anticipated to last between six to eight weeks as the legal proceedings unfold.
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Jennifer Dulos was last seen on May 24, 2019, in New Canaan, Connecticut, after dropping her five children off at school. Although her body was never found, evidence of her blood in her garage and other locations led the state medical examiner to classify the case as a "homicide of violence." Jennifer was in the midst of a contentious divorce and a bitter custody battle when she vanished.
Authorities alleged that Fotis Dulos, her estranged husband, was responsible for her disappearance and subsequent presumed murder. They further asserted that Michelle Troconis, his then-girlfriend, conspired with him, created an alibi, assisted in cleaning up after the crime, and helped dispose of evidence.
Fotis Dulos was charged in January 2020 with felony murder and kidnapping in connection to his wife's disappearance. Tragically, he died by suicide at his home while free on bail a few weeks later. Meanwhile, Michelle Troconis faced charges of conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with physical evidence, and hindering prosecution. Her trial, which has faced numerous delays, is now set to commence.
Last October, a probate judge granted a request by Gloria Farber, Jennifer Dulos' 88-year-old mother and guardian of her children, to declare Jennifer legally dead to protect the family's assets. While Connecticut state statutes typically presume death after seven years of being missing, the judge concluded that Jennifer's case was an exception, stating that the "inescapable conclusion" is that Jennifer Dulos is dead.
At the time of her disappearance, Michelle Troconis was residing in the Farmington home that Jennifer and Fotis Dulos had once shared before Jennifer moved with their children to New Canaan and initiated divorce proceedings. Jennifer had also sought an emergency custody order, expressing her concerns for her family's safety, believing that Fotis was capable of taking their children and disappearing.
Despite court orders granting Fotis visitation with the children, he defied these orders by allowing Troconis and her daughter to be present during their meetings. This led one judge to criticize Fotis for exposing the children to Troconis and her daughter, disregarding prior court orders and the impact of his actions on the children.
Michelle Troconis has maintained her innocence and pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her attorney, Jon Schoenhorn, previously described her belief that the Duloses' divorce was "amicable" when she moved in with Fotis.
During the investigation, police stated that Michelle Troconis confirmed being a passenger in Fotis Dulos' truck, which was seen in surveillance videos showing him disposing of plastic garbage bags in several trash receptacles in Hartford on the evening Jennifer Dulos disappeared. Troconis claimed she was "on the phone" and not paying attention to Fotis Dulos' actions during that time.
In those garbage bags, investigators found numerous items soaked in Jennifer Dulos' blood, including clothing, cleaning supplies, and zip ties. DNA evidence linked Fotis Dulos to these bags, tape, and a glove, while Troconis' DNA was found on one of the bags. Police also noted that Fotis and Troconis had spent hours shuttling between their home and another property, claiming to be cleaning, on the same day.
Kent Mawhinney, a longtime friend and former attorney of Fotis Dulos, is also facing charges related to Jennifer Dulos' disappearance. He, too, has pleaded not guilty and may be called to testify for the prosecution during Troconis' trial.
As the trial begins, Jennifer Dulos' family and friends have issued a statement, emphasizing the importance of focusing on Jennifer, who left behind five children. They seek accountability and answers in a case that has garnered significant attention. The trial is anticipated to last between six to eight weeks as the legal proceedings unfold.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
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