In October 2021, Joseph Ferlazzo, 44, and his wife, Emily Ferlazzo, 22, embarked on a trip to Vermont to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. The couple traveled in a camper van, planning to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Green Mountain State. However, the celebration took a tragic turn when Emily was reported missing after Joseph returned alone, claiming they had argued and she had left on foot.
Concerned family members alerted authorities, prompting a search for Emily. During the investigation, Joseph confessed to shooting Emily twice in the head during an argument inside their camper in Bolton, Vermont. He further admitted to dismembering her body and concealing the remains within the camper. Emily’s dismembered body was later discovered in the bathroom area of the vehicle.
In December 2024, after a weeklong trial, a Vermont jury found Joseph Ferlazzo guilty of first-degree murder. Throughout the trial, Joseph claimed he acted in self-defense, alleging that Emily had threatened him with a firearm. However, the prosecution presented evidence contradicting his account, including his initial failure to mention self-defense during his confession and the absence of injuries on his body. The jury deliberated for approximately five hours over two days before reaching a verdict.
Emily Ferlazzo was remembered as a vibrant young woman with aspirations of becoming a cosmetologist. Her family described her as having an infectious personality and a passion for singing. The conviction brought a measure of justice to her grieving loved ones, who had previously filed a wrongful death lawsuit resulting in a $1.5 million judgment against Joseph in 2023.
Joseph Ferlazzo faces a minimum sentence of 35 years and a maximum of life imprisonment. As of March 2025, his sentencing date has not been scheduled.
Sources:
- https://www.courttv.com/news/vt-v-joseph-ferlazzo-van-life-and-death-murder-trial/
- https://www.vtdigger.org/2024/12/13/jury-convicts-new-hampshire-man-of-first-degree-murder-in-fatal-shooting-of-his-wife-in-bolton/
- https://people.com/man-dismembered-wife-during-anniversary-trip-left-remains-camper-bathroom-8762991
- https://www.ktvq.com/us-news/crime/new-hampshire-man-convicted-of-murdering-dismembering-wife-while-on-vacation
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMnaRTN37cE
