Introduction

They say the honeymoon phase doesn’t last forever—but for Emily Ferlazzo, her first wedding anniversary ended in an unimaginable nightmare. On October 15, 2021, Emily and her husband Joseph Ferlazzo set out on a trip in their camper van to celebrate their milestone, but only one of them would come back alive.

A Troubling Relationship

Emily and Joseph's relationship began in Vermont in 2018 when Emily, then 19, was introduced to Joseph, a 38-year-old tattoo artist and body piercer, through a mutual friend. Their relationship quickly escalated, culminating in their marriage on October 10, 2020, just months after they started dating. However, the cracks in their relationship soon began to show, especially as Joseph expressed a desire to be polyamorous, a point of contention that created significant strain between them.

Joseph's Disturbing Behavior

Despite Emily's disappearance, Joseph proceeded with his weekend as if everything were normal. He made coffee, had breakfast with his sister, Nikki, and even attended a bonfire, behaving nonchalantly throughout. When questioned about Emily's whereabouts, he gave inconsistent stories to different people, ranging from her being asleep to her visiting friends after an argument.

The Investigation Unfolds

Emily's family quickly realized something was wrong when Joseph returned to their home in New Hampshire without her. He gave vague explanations, claiming they had argued, and she had left the camper. This prompted Emily's family to contact the police, who began a thorough investigation.

Authorities soon discovered Joseph's camper at his friend's house in Saint Albans, Vermont. An initial protective sweep of the camper revealed several black trash bags in the shower area, arousing suspicion. The Vermont State Police escalated their efforts to locate Joseph after receiving a distressing 911 call from Joseph's friend, Spencer, who reported that Joseph had confessed to hurting Emily.

Joseph’s Confession

The police tracked Joseph to a convenience store, where he was apprehended and brought in for questioning. During the interview, Joseph confessed within minutes, stating that he had shot Emily twice in the head after she became "berserk" and "psychotic" during their trip. Joseph confessed to shooting Emily twice in the head as she lay defenseless on their bed. He claimed that Emily first had a tantrum, throwing candles and turning off the music, but it quickly became evident that this was likely an exaggerated account meant to justify his actions. After fatally shooting Emily, Joseph stabbed her 18 times and gruesomely dismembered her body with a serrated hand saw. He packed her remains into eight black garbage bags, which he stored in the camper’s bathroom, intending to dispose of them in the woods later.

Trial

In December 2024, the trial began. The prosecution, led by State’s Attorney Sarah George, presented a carefully crafted case, portraying Joseph as a calculating and depraved individual. Defense attorney Peggy Jansch argued that Joseph acted in self-defense, alleging that Emily had attacked him first.

Several witnesses testified, including Emily’s mother, Adrienne, and Joseph’s sister, Nikki. Adrienne recounted the evident signs of abuse she had witnessed on Emily, including gouges on her chest, bruises on her thighs, and dark handprint bruises on her arms. She described instances of Joseph’s manipulative and aggressive behavior, such as grabbing the car’s steering wheel while Emily was driving and taunting her incessantly.

Joseph’s unrelenting attempt to present himself as the victim reached its peak when he took the stand on day four. His testimony was filled with contradictions and self-serving claims. One particularly dubious assertion was that Emily had a revolver under her pillow and threatened to shoot him, which led him to act in self-defense. Forensic evidence, however, unequivocally showed that Emily was lying down and defenseless when Joseph shot her with a pillow covering her head.

The prosecution effectively dismantled Joseph’s narrative, exposing the absurdity of his self-defense claim and highlighting the calculated nature of his actions. They pointed to the scattered messages Joseph sent to Emily’s phone after her murder, in an attempt to feign concern and manipulate the narrative to cover his tracks.

The jury, comprised of seven women and five men, deliberated carefully. They reviewed Joseph’s testimony and other critical pieces of evidence as they weighed their decision. Ultimately, the jury found Joseph Ferlazzo guilty of first-degree murder. The verdict concluded a grueling six-day trial, bringing some measure of justice for Emily Ferlazzo.

The murder of Emily Ferlazzo is a testament to the persistent danger of domestic violence. While justice in the form of a guilty verdict brings some closure, the pain and suffering inflicted on Emily and her loved ones is a reminder of the need for continued awareness, advocacy, and support for those trapped in abusive relationships.

If you or someone you know is struggling with domestic violence, resources are available. 

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
www.thehotline.org

Ways to support others
www.thehotline.org/support-others/ways-to-support-a-domestic-violence-survivor

Sources:

Ferlazzo case prompts questions about Pennsylvania cold case
Liz Stzrepa, NBC 5
www.mynbc5.com/article/ferlazzo-case-prompts-questions-about-pennsylvania-cold-case/38040620

Ferlazzo Ordered To Pay $1.5M for Wife’s Murder
Damien Fisher, In Depth NH
http://indepthnh.org/2023/01/16/ferlazzo-ordered-to-pay-1-5m-for-wifes-murder/

Domestic Violence Statistics
National Domestic Violence Hotline
www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics

VT. v. Joseph Ferlazzo 
Trial recordings