Pawlet, VT — A small Vermont community is reeling after a shocking triple homicide that claimed the lives of a family in their home early Sunday morning. The victims, identified locally as Pawlet select board member Brian Crossman, his wife Erica, and their minor child, were found deceased along Route 133 in what authorities are treating as a suspicious death investigation.
Vermont State Police are continuing their investigation into the killings and await autopsy results from the state medical examiner to help clarify the circumstances surrounding the deaths. While details remain scarce, and no official confirmation has been provided regarding suspects, sources close to the investigation have hinted at the involvement of a relative of the victims, pinpointed as a person of interest.
This tragic event has visibly shaken the tight-knit community of Pawlet, with many local residents expressing disbelief and grief. “It’s very hard to comprehend. It just hasn’t sunk in,” said Oliver Ihasz, a neighbor who had visited the Crossman family shortly before the deaths. His wife, Ellen Ihasz, shared their initial fondness for the Crossmans, recalling their introduction, “We made a visit to introduce ourselves. They made a great couple, and I loved them right away,” she noted.
In the wake of the tragedy, the streets of Pawlet were quiet, with most residents reluctant to speak on record, often echoing a sentiment of disruption and sorrow that has blanketed their community. A family spokesperson spoke briefly, extending gratitude for the outpouring of support and urging for privacy during this challenging time, while also addressing the swirl of rumors that have surfaced.
As the community awaits further updates from officials, state police maintain that this appears to be an isolated incident, with no immediate threat perceived to the wider public. The investigation continues to develop as authorities piece together the events that led to this devastating family tragedy, leaving a community in mourning and in search for answers to this inexplicable violence that has taken three of their own.