Jennifer Dulos, a 50-year-old mother of five, went missing on May 24, 2019, after dropping off her children at school in New Canaan, Connecticut. She was never seen again.

Her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, a wealthy real estate developer, was arrested and charged with her murder in January 2020, along with his girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, and his friend, Kent Mawhinney. The murder case, which involved a bitter divorce, a love triangle, and a cover-up, shocked and fascinated the nation for years. Here is everything you need to know about the case.

The motive: A bitter divorce and a love triangle

According to the police, the motive behind Jennifer Dulos’ murder was a bitter divorce and a love triangle. Jennifer and Fotis Dulos were married in 2004, and had five children, ranging from 8 to 13 years old.

They lived in a lavish mansion in Farmington, Connecticut, and seemed to have a perfect life. However, their marriage turned sour, and Jennifer filed for divorce in 2017, accusing Fotis of infidelity, financial mismanagement, and erratic behavior. She also sought sole custody of their children, claiming that Fotis was a danger to them and herself.

Fotis, who denied the allegations, was having an affair with Michelle Troconis, a Venezuelan socialite and former TV host, whom he met in 2016. Troconis moved in with Fotis in his Farmington home, and became a part of his family. Fotis also introduced Troconis as his sister to his children, who were unaware of their father’s relationship with her.

Jennifer and Fotis were locked in a bitter and prolonged divorce and custody battle, which involved multiple court hearings, restraining orders, and accusations. Jennifer feared for her life, and wrote in her diary that Fotis might harm her or kidnap their children. She also wrote a note to her attorney, stating that if anything happened to her, Fotis should be held responsible.

The murder: A premeditated and brutal crime

The police alleged that Fotis Dulos planned and executed the murder of Jennifer Dulos with the help of his girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, and his friend, Kent Mawhinney, who was also his lawyer. On May 24, 2019, Fotis drove to New Canaan, where Jennifer lived in a rented house, and waited for her to return from dropping off their children at school.

He then attacked her in the garage, and stabbed her multiple times, causing her to bleed profusely. He then wrapped her body in a tarp, and put it in the back of her Chevrolet Suburban. He then drove away, leaving behind a trail of blood and evidence.

Fotis then met with Troconis, who was driving his Ford Raptor pickup truck, and transferred Jennifer’s body to his vehicle. They then drove to Hartford, where they disposed of Jennifer’s belongings, such as her clothes, her phone, and a blood-stained sponge, in various trash bins along a busy street.

They also stopped at a car wash, where they cleaned the blood from the truck. They then returned to Farmington, where they parked Jennifer’s Suburban in a secluded area near Mawhinney’s office. Mawhinney, who was supposed to create an alibi for Fotis, was also involved in the disposal of Jennifer’s body, which was never found.

The murder remained a mystery for months, until the police traced the movements of Fotis and Troconis using surveillance footage, cellphone records, and GPS data. They also recovered some of Jennifer’s belongings from the trash bins, and found her blood in the garage and the Suburban. They also found a handwritten note by Fotis, known as the “alibi script”, which detailed his and Troconis’ activities on the day of the murder, and contradicted their statements to the police.

The trial: A dramatic and tragic end

The trial of the accused was supposed to begin in 2020, but was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In January 2020, Fotis Dulos was arrested and charged with murder, felony murder, and kidnapping, while Troconis and Mawhinney were charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Fotis was released on a $6 million bond, and was placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring. Troconis and Mawhinney were also released on bail, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

However, on January 28, 2020, Fotis Dulos attempted suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in his garage, and was found unconscious by the police. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead two days later. He left behind a note, in which he claimed his innocence, and denied any involvement of Troconis and Mawhinney in the murder. He also expressed his love for his children, and asked them to be strong.

The death of Fotis Dulos left the case unresolved, and raised questions about the fate of Troconis and Mawhinney. The prosecution decided to proceed with the trial, and argued that they had enough evidence to prove the guilt of the co-conspirators.

The trial began in February 2021, and lasted for 27 days, during which the jury heard testimonies from various witnesses, including Jennifer’s friends, family, and nanny, as well as forensic experts, police officers, and investigators. The jury also saw the surveillance footage, the cellphone records, the DNA reports, and the alibi script that linked the accused to the crime.

On March 1, 2024, the jury delivered its verdict, and found Troconis guilty on all counts. She broke down in tears, and was taken away in handcuffs. She faces up to 50 years in prison, and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 31. Mawhinney, who was tried separately, was also found guilty, and faces the same sentence. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15.

Conclusion

Jennifer Dulos, a 50-year-old mother of five, was murdered by her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, in 2019, in a shocking case that involved a bitter divorce, a love triangle, and a cover-up. The case came to light in 2020, when the police arrested Fotis and his girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, and his friend, Kent Mawhinney, for their roles in the crime.

The police alleged that Fotis killed Jennifer because he was angry over their divorce and custody battle, and because he wanted to be with Troconis. He then disposed of Jennifer’s body with the help of Troconis and Mawhinney, and tried to create an alibi. The trial of the accused was delayed due to the pandemic, and was further complicated by the suicide of Fotis, who claimed his innocence in a note.

The trial finally concluded in 2024, and the jury found Troconis and Mawhinney guilty on all counts. They face up to 50 years in prison, and await their sentencing. The case has been one of the most sensational and complex murder cases in the US, and has captured the attention and curiosity of the public and the media for years.