Lawyer: Jennifer Dulos ‘likely dismembered, should be declared dead

FARMINGTON — The attorney handling the estate for Fotis Dulos says

Jennifer Dulos was likely “dismembered” and wants a probate judge to declare the New Canaan mother legally dead.

Attorney Christopher Hug, administrator of the estate of Fotis Dulos, needs Judge Evelyn Daly to determine if Jennifer Dulos predeceased her estranged husband so a Fidelity Individual Retirement Account can be used for the estate and creditors, according to documents filed in Farmington Probate Court.

Since Fotis Dulos did not name a beneficiary of the Fidelity account worth $194,000, state law requires the money to go to his wife who has been missing since May, 24, 2019. Police have said Jennifer Dulos is presumed dead based on blood evidence found in her garage.

According to his court filing, Hug “remains active in assisting law enforcement with locating Jennifer's remains, which are now believed to have been in multiple dismembered parts."

Hug does not say what evidence he has that supports she was dismembered and he did not respond to a request for comment.

Chief State's Attorney Richard J. Colangelo Jr., who is prosecuting the case, said he had no knowledge of whether Jennifer Dulos had been dismembered.

Fotis Dulos faced murder and other charges in the case when he died from an apparent suicide on Jan. 30.

Attorney Richard Weinstein, who represents Jennifer Dulos’ mother, Gloria Farber, called Hug’s probate court filing “ironic.” Weinsten pointed to how Fotis Dulos’ defense team repeatedly argued that Jennifer Dulos staged her own disappearance to frame her estranged husband, who they claimed had nothing to do with it.

“Based on extensive discussions with numerous friends and confidantes of Jennifer Dulos, as well as her mother Gloria, the undersigned supports the motion to determine title that Jennifer Farber Dulos predeceased Fotis Dulos and never, ever would have left her children voluntarily,” Weinstein

wrote in a supplemental motion supporting Hug’s request.

Jennifer and Fotis Dulos were embroiled in a twoyear divorce and custody battle when she vanished.

Farber has been appointed the guardian of the five Dulos children who have been in her care since their mother disappeared. Any money left from the estate of Fotis Dulos would go to Farber and the children, Weinstein said.

Citing arrest warrants, Hug contends that police believe Jennifer Dulos was killed by her estranged husband the morning of May 24, 2019. Police investigating her disappearance found blood and blood splatter in the garage of her New Canaan home, the warrants said.

Clothing and other items stained with Jennifer Dulos’ blood were recovered in Hartford after police say two people resembling Fotis Dulos and his former girlfriend Michelle Troconis were seen on video dumping the bags in the trash the night of the disappearance, according to arrest warrants.

Police also used surveillance video to piece together what they believe were Fotis Dulos’ movements the day his wife disappeared, including him traveling to and from New Canaan, the warrants state.

Hug also pointed out that attorney Kent Mawhinney, who at one point represented Fotis Dulos in civil lawsuits Farber filed against him, and Troconis have each been charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the case. Troconis also faces tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution charges.

Connecticut does not have a standard of proof for determining a missing person is deceased, Hug said. There is a state statute that “creates a presumption” a missing person is deceased after seven years, Hug said.

But the probate court can still make a determination prior to seven years if the person “encountered some specific peril” during the time, Hug said.