Michelle Troconis has been declared guilty on all charges after being tried for her involvement in the disappearance of Jennifer Dulos. Dulos was the estranged wife of Michelle’s live-in boyfriend. She has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with physical evidence, and hindering prosecution through her involvement.
What happened to Jennifer Dulos?
On May 24, 2019, Jennifer Dulos disappeared after dropping off her five children at school. At the time, she was in the midst of a difficult divorce and custody dispute with her estranged husband Fotis Dulos, who police warrants revealed was deeply in debt, owing approximately $7 million.
Fotis Dulos was the main suspect in his wife’s murder until his death from a suicide attempt in 2020, which occurred shortly after he was arrested for the crime.
After Jennifer Dulos disappeared, Michelle Troconis was romantically involved with Fotis Dulos and resided with her daughter in his residence in Farmington, which his wife previously inhabited.
After his passing, Troconis became the central figure in the investigation and gained notoriety globally as the mistress when the scandal made headlines and was further publicized in the 2021 Lifetime film “Gone Mom.”
According to state police, Fotis Dulos was accused of using an employee’s truck to travel to New Canaan and then riding a bicycle to Jennifer Dulos’ house on the day she went missing.
They alleged that he assaulted his wife in the garage after she returned home from their children’s school, before placing her back in her car and leaving. The events that occurred after that are unknown. Jennifer Dulos’ SUV was discovered abandoned at a park in New Canaan, approximately three miles from her residence.
Despite extensive searches in the park, her husband’s residence, and other areas, authorities were unable to locate Jennifer Dulos’ body. As a result, she was eventually declared deceased.
The police reported finding significant amounts of blood in her garage, indicating that it was unlikely she could have survived any injuries sustained during an assault there. Additionally, evidence suggested a potential effort to tidy up the area.
What was Michelle Troconis accused of?
Michelle Troconis faced initial charges in Connecticut, including conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence, and hindering prosecution, for her suspected involvement in Dulos’ death.
Ever since the investigation into Dulos’ disappearance began, Troconis has consistently asserted her innocence. In early interrogation videos, she can be seen telling the police,
“I am completely innocent and had no involvement in it.” “I can do whatever you want but I didn’t do it.”
The footage was received by “48 Hours.”
On the evening of the murder, Fotis Dulos was caught on public surveillance cameras in Hartford discarding garbage bags at various spots. He maneuvered his truck to each destination and exited the vehicle to dispose of the bags, while Troconis remained in the car.
Officials also stated that a bag that was found contained genetic material from Jennifer Dulos, Fotis Dulos, and Michelle Troconis. Troconis later stated that she was not aware of the items being discarded on that particular evening.
According to the arrest warrant for Michelle Troconis on conspiracy to commit murder charges, authorities alleged that she provided inconsistent responses during three separate interviews with police. The interviews focused on whether she had witnessed Fotis Dulos at their residence on the day of Jennifer Dulos’ death.
After a trial lasting over seven weeks, the six-person jury took three days to reach a verdict that Michelle Troconis assisted Fotis Dulos in establishing an alibi during the time of the murder, and also aided him in concealing and destroying evidence related to the crime.
According to the Stamford Advocate, Troconis could potentially receive a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison based on Connecticut State Law.
Even though Jennifer Dulos’ body has not been located, a state judge declared her legally deceased in October. Fotis Dulos, who died by suicide in January 2020, was facing charges of capital murder and kidnapping.
Michelle Troconis could be heard weeping and leaning on her lawyer Jon Schoenhorn as the verdicts were announced. After he quietly told her she could sit down, she rested her head on the table and cried, while attorney Audrey Felsen comfortingly rubbed her back as the jury was individually questioned.
Judge Kevin Randolph of the Connecticut Superior Court rejected the defense’s plea for Troconis to be released on her original bond of $2.1 million and instead ordered a bond of $6 million. Troconis was then escorted out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
