CONNECTICUT, USA — The family of Jennifer Dulos released a statement ahead of Michelle Troconis's trial, which is set to begin Thursday.
Dulos, a New Canaan mother of five, has been missing for over four-and-a-half years. Her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, was charged with murder in connection with her disappearance. He took his life within the same year and before any trial could be set.
Troconis, reported to be Fotis' girlfriend at the time, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder as well as tampering with evidence and hindering the prosecution as investigators dug into what may have happened to Jennifer.
The statement on behalf of the friends and family of Jennifer reads:
It has been more than four years and seven months since Jennifer Farber Dulos was murdered and disappeared. We, her family and friends, have waited patiently, understanding that the justice process moves slowly and deliberatively, especially given the disruption of a global pandemic. We remain deeply grateful to the state’s attorney’s office, the Connecticut State Police, and the New Canaan Police for their tireless dedication to this case and the related, ongoing criminal investigation.
As this trial begins, it is crucial to remember who is at the center: Jennifer, whose five children have lost their mother and, as an eventuality, both parents. Jennifer’s family and loved ones have lost a loving daughter, sister, cousin, and lifelong friend. We do not seek closure, as nothing can bring Jennifer back. Our hope is that this trial provides for accountability and answers.
As this trial gets underway, we ask that you prioritize and respect the privacy of Jennifer’s family and loved ones. Thank you.
Jennifer went missing on May 24, 2019. Her SUV was found abandoned in a New Canaan park that evening and the missing person investigation swiftly switched to a criminal one.
Jennifer was in the midst of divorce proceedings and a bitter custody battle with Fotis over their five children when she went missing.
Investigators managed to uncover surveillance video of Fotis and Troconis, who was reported to be his girlfriend at the time, in his SUV, driving down Albany Ave. in Hartford on the day of Jennifer's disappearance.
Richard Weinstein, an attorney for Jennifer's mother, Gloria Farber, said Tuesday that a probate judge has declared Jennifer dead. The decision was made in late October following a hearing earlier that month. Weinstein stated that Farber had petitioned for the declaration.
The conclusion was made based on the fact that none of Jennifer's loved ones had heard from her since the day she went missing, her body had not been found, and the evidence investigators found in her disappearance led the state's Chief Medical Examiner to believe she sustained "non-survivable" injuries.
Troconis' trial begins Thursday in Stamford. Since being charged in 2020, Troconis and her defense have been in court numerous times, arguing to have her ankle GPS unit removed, a dismissal of all charges, and a different prosecution, to suspend 24/7 GPS monitoring, and more recently, stating that the search of Fotis Dulos' home in 2019 was too broad and had no probable cause.
A third suspect, Kent Mawhinney, was also charged with conspiracy to commit murder. He was Fotis’ civil lawyer and friend.
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.