6 Facts About Jennifer Dulos Murder Case

NEW CANAAN, CT — State police charged Fotis Dulos with murdering his estranged wife Jennifer Farber Dulos after more than seven months of intense investigation. Dulos’ ex-girlfriend Michelle Troconis and his friend and former lawyer Kent Mawhinney were also charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

The arrests Tuesday were the latest major development in a complicated case that has spanned multiple court systems and locations. The main question has been what exactly happened to the mother of five on May 24 when she suddenly went missing.

Who are Fotis Dulos, Michelle Troconis and Kent Mawhinney?

Fotis Dulos and Jennifer Dulos married in 2004 and had five children together. Jennifer Dulos filed for divorce in 2017 and said in court filings that she feared Fotis Dulos might harm her and take their children abroad.

Fotis Dulos countered that the allegations were baseless. Fotis Dulos is the president and CEO of the Fore Group, a high-end custom home building company in Connecticut. Fotis Dulos grew up in Greece, but was born in Turkey, according to his now closed Facebook page, reports Heavy.com.

Michelle Troconis' is Fotis Dulos’ ex-girlfriend. The two had dated during the divorce despite a judge’s declaration that exposing Dulos’ children to her was having an emotional impact on them, according to the Hartford Courant.

Her LinkedIn profile shows that she has led an international professional life. She was a therapeutic riding instructor in Dubai, UAE; held a public relations position for a polo club in Abu Dhabi, UAE; and was a marketing executive in Argentina.

By 2018, Troconis and her daughter had moved into Fotis Dulos' Farmington home. Blog posts on Fotis Dulos' home-building business blog also show photos of Troconis and her daughter. She reportedly moved out of the Farmington home in October 2019.

Kent Mawhinney is Fotis Dulos’ close friend and former attorney. His name appeared in “alibi scripts” that police allege helped Dulos and Troconis stick to one story when questioned by police, according to arrest warrants. Mawhinney was questioned by police multiple times.

His arrest warrant details how investigators looked into a report of a hole at the Windsor Road & Gun Club. Mawhinney helped found the club several years ago, but hadn’t been an active member.

See related: Warrant Details Possible Motive On Why Jennifer Dulos Was Killed And Why Police Believe She Is Dead

Dulos, Troconis Expected To Post Bond In Missing Mom Murder Case

Police Believe Jennifer Dulos Is Dead, But Her Whereabouts Remain Unknown

Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner James Gill told investigators that Jennifer Dulos wouldn’t have been able to survive injuries without medical attention after he reviewed evidence, which included a number of bloody items that contained her DNA. The evidence suggests that she suffered both blunt force and sharp force injuries, according to the warrant. Police also believe Jennifer Dulos was restrained using zip ties.

The arrest warrant suggests Fotis Dulos was running into financial Issues

Fotis Dulos had a portfolio that included $4.49 million in lines of credit along with several mortgages related to his construction properties. He resorted to taking a cash advance from Snap Advance, according to the warrant.

Dulos was also being sued by his mother-in-law Gloria Farber who alleges that he owes her $2.5 million. Arguments in the case wrapped up late 2019 and a ruling hasn’t been issued. Dulos contends that it is Farber who owes him money.

Dulos’ five children had trust funds set up for them by Gloria Farber and her late husband Hillard Farber with a combined value of $2 million. The warrant alleges that Dulos was aware of the funds and that he might have access to them to pay for child-related expenses.

This is Dulos’ and Traconis’ third arrest

Dulos and Traconis were first arrested June 1 and charged with evidence tampering and hindering prosecution in connection with Jennifer Dulos’ disappearance.

The pair were arrested again in September by State police and charged with another count of tampering with evidence.

Fotis Dulos wanted the divorce case dismissed

Dulos is seeking to challenge a probate court decision that granted his mother-in-law guardianship over his children.

The Dulos’ divorce case has been contentious since Jennifer filed it in 2017. She said she feared Dulos after he had bought a gun in 2017.

Dulos’ lawyer argued that having the case dismissed would streamline matters of child custody into a single court system.

Cases have spanned nearly every part of the Connecticut court system

Different aspects have been argued in multiple court theatres including criminal, civil/family, probate and even the state Supreme court. The issue over guardianship over the children of Fotis and Jennifer Dulos has been touched on in criminal, civil and probate court.

The case remains under a court gag order, which has limited police and Fotis Dulos’ attorney Norm Pattis from commenting on the ongoing case. Pattis appealed to the state Supreme Court to remove the gag order, but a ruling has yet to be issued.

Additional reporting by Rich Scinto, Patch staff