Police Deem Missing Connecticut Mother Case A 'Homicide'
June 7 2019, Updated 3:10 p.m. ET
What started as a missing person investigation has been deemed a homicide, several law enforcement sources tell RadarOnline.com.
Jennifer Dulos, 50, was reported missing on May 24 by worried friends after she missed multiple scheduled appointments in New York City.
Law enforcement are focusing on two large properties in Farmington and New Canaan. They belong to her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, who is currently in custody after allegedly tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution, owns. His former mistress-turned girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, was also charged but released after posting bond.
Both Fotis & Michelle initially refused to cooperate with authorities, according to their arrest warrants – but sources close to the situation say she met with agents of the Connecticut State’s Attorney’s Office and FBI Thursday evening after initially refusing to cooperate with authorities in the investigation. According to a law enforcement source, the meeting lasted approximately three hours, noting the meeting was voluntary.
RadarOnline.com was first to report new details relating to an emergency search warrant authorities obtained late Wednesday night after they received several tips that sources say, “circled back to that residence.”
"It appears the victim had left the garage door open in her absence after returning home from taking her children to school," a law enforcement source told RadarOnline.com. "This is no longer a missing persons investigation. This is now a murder case."
In a sensational case that quickly gripped America, concerned friends called New Canaan Police to request a welfare check for Jennifer after the mother-of-five missed multiple scheduled doctors appointments in New York City. Friends and family attempted to make contact with Jennifer but were unsuccessful.
When officers arrived, they found an empty estate with no signs of movement inside. Police informed the callers that they couldn’t make entry as the doors were locked, and family members immediately contacted their long-time nanny, Lauren Almeida, 28, to meet the officers and open the door for them to enter.
When authorities entered the home, they journeyed to the garage and noticed Jennifer’s Suburban missing. But the nightmare worsened. They located several blood stains on the garage floor and on a vehicle parked in the garage.
Police combed the area and found Jennifer’s Suburban just three miles away in the area of Waveny Park. Shortly thereafter, the FBI joined state and local law enforcement in the massive manhunt for the mother-of-five.
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"Day after day of failure, we received several crucial tips that built a concrete timeline," a source close to the investigation told RadarOnline.com exclusively. "The FBI continue to utilize all resources available to bring closure to the family, and bring the perpetrator to justice."
"There is reason to believe that evidence was transported to one or more properties owned by her ex-husband in an effort to escape justice," the source continued, noting authorities are working with agents of the FBI Evidence Response Team to search for potential evidence in the shower drains at two properties owned by the victim's estranged husband.
The source added that authorities are specifically focused on two vacant estates. The first is located in Farmington, Connecticut, located just two miles from his main estate located at Jefferson Crossing. The second estate, which sources say provided them a “major development,” in New Canaan, just three miles from Jennifer’s home.
“Neighbors informed authorities that they heard what sounded like metal banging inside of the residence,” the law enforcement source told RadarOnline.com. “It was loud enough to wake them, and their timeframe matches our timeline of events.”
The source would not comment on whether or not Michelle is cooperating with authorities, noting that it’s an ongoing investigation.
“For those individuals who have information come forward now,” the source noted. “Every second you withhold information, you are only making things worse for yourself, and worse for this mother’s family.”
Authorities scheduled a news conference for this morning where they were expected to reveal new details about this case and the hunt for evidence, but it was postponed following the emergency search of Fotis’ estate that ensued Wednesday night. Law enforcement are still combing through material at a trash plant and several of her estranged husband’s properties.
“We are here to accomplish two goals – bring closure to the Jennifer’s loved ones and seek justice for them,” the source continued. “That is our commitment.”
Jennifer and Fotis share five children ranging from ages 8 to 13.
The FBI was unable to provide an official statement regarding the murder investigation.
Stay with RadarOnline.com for the latest developments.