Vermont Official's Son Charged in Family Triple Homicide
A 23-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing his father, stepmother, and stepbrother in Pawlet, Vermont. The suspect, son of a local official, faces three counts of aggravated murder.
In a shocking turn of events, Brian Crossman Jr., 23, from Granville, New York, has been apprehended on charges of a triple homicide involving his family members in Pawlet, Vermont. The incident, which occurred on September 15, 2024, has left the small town of 1,386 residents reeling.
Brian Crossman Jr. faces three counts of aggravated murder for the deaths of his father Brian Crossman Sr., 46, stepmother Erica Crossman, 41, and stepbrother Colin Taft, 13. The victims were found shot in their family home near the New York state border.
Vermont State Police, established in 1947, reported that substantial evidence links Crossman Jr. to the killings. This includes digital information, statements, injuries, and various interviews. The suspect, who reportedly has mental health disabilities, was staying with his father and stepmother for the weekend.
According to police records, Crossman Jr. contacted authorities shortly before 4 a.m. on September 15, claiming to have discovered the bodies after returning from a walk. When meeting with Vermont State Police Corporal Joseph Duca at Wells Village School, Crossman Jr.'s clothes were noticeably blood-stained.
The investigation uncovered concerning details about Crossman Jr.'s presence at the home. Erica Crossman had expressed fears about being alone with him, especially when her husband was on-call for Green Mountain Power, Vermont's largest electric utility. A friend advised the family to secure all firearms in the house.
Tragically, Brian Crossman Sr., a member of the Pawlet Selectboard, was called out for work late on September 14. His vehicle's GPS data shows the ignition was shut off at 12:47 a.m. on September 15, shortly before the estimated time of the killings.
The crime scene revealed multiple firearms and ammunition throughout the house, including a semi-automatic handgun and shotguns. This discovery highlights Vermont's relatively lenient gun laws, which do not require permits for purchasing or carrying firearms.
Crossman Jr. was initially admitted to the mental health unit of Glens Falls Hospital, a 391-bed facility serving upstate New York and Vermont. He was subsequently arrested by New York State Police on September 19 and is being held without bail.
The tragedy has deeply affected Pawlet, a town chartered in 1761 and known for its historic slate industry. At a Selectboard meeting on September 17, Chairperson Mike Beecher expressed the community's grief:
"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."
This incident underscores the challenges rural communities face in providing comprehensive mental health services. As the investigation continues, the town of Pawlet, home to the Pawlet Historical Society, grapples with this unprecedented tragedy that has shaken its close-knit community to the core.
