A shocking triple homicide has rocked the small town of Pawlet, Vermont, as local official Brian Crossman, his wife Erica, and her teenage son Colin Taft were discovered dead in their farmhouse.
According to the New York Post, the victims were found with multiple gunshot wounds, prompting an immediate investigation by Vermont State Police.
The grim discovery was made on Sunday, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community of approximately 1,400 residents. The Crossmans, who had been married for only a few months, were well-known in the area. Brian, 46, had recently been elected to the Pawlet Select Board and worked as a lineman for Green Mountain Power.
Erica, 41, and her 13-year-old son Colin had moved into the historic family farmhouse with Brian, which had been in his family for generations. The couple's recent marriage and relocation to the property seemed to signal a fresh start, making the tragic turn of events all the more devastating for the community.
The authorities were alerted to the crime scene in an unusual manner. Reports suggest that a relative of the victims, found with blood-covered clothing, contacted the police and led them to the farmhouse.
This individual was discovered waiting at a nearby school before guiding law enforcement to the crime scene. However, as of Wednesday, Vermont State Police had not confirmed any arrests or identified any suspects in the case.
The investigation into the triple homicide is ongoing, with authorities working diligently to piece together the events that led to this tragedy. The community of Pawlet, located near the New York State border, has been left reeling from the loss of a family that was deeply integrated into local life.
As news of the murders spread, neighbors and relatives expressed their shock and disbelief. The Crossman family farmhouse, a landmark in the area, had been a gathering place for generations. The recent transfer of the property to Brian and Erica was seen as a continuation of this family legacy, making the violent end to their lives even more difficult for the community to comprehend.
The impact of the Crossmans' deaths was immediately felt in the local government. Despite the tragedy, the Pawlet Selectboard decided to proceed with their scheduled meeting on Tuesday evening.
In a poignant gesture, flowers were placed at Brian Crossman's usual seat, symbolizing the void left by his untimely passing.
Mike Beecher, chairperson of the Pawlet Selectboard, offered a heartfelt tribute to his fallen colleague:
Brian Crossman was a friend and neighbor, a hardworking community member who just this year stepped up to join the Pawlet Selectboard. This tragedy that struck him and his family has also hit our community hard, and we are shaken and grieving. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this devastating loss.
These words encapsulate the sentiment of a community grappling with an unthinkable loss. Brian Crossman's commitment to public service, evidenced by his recent election to the Selectboard for a one-year term, was cut short in the most tragic circumstances.
The deaths of Brian, Erica, and Colin have not only robbed Pawlet of valued community members but have also shattered the sense of security often associated with small-town life. As authorities work to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic event, the people of Pawlet are left to support one another and honor the memory of the Crossman family.
