March 1, 2024, was a day filled with tension and emotion in the courtroom. Michelle Troconis couldn't hold back her tears as the jury found her guilty of conspiring with her boyfriend, Fotis Dulos, in the murder of his estranged wife. Throughout the seven-week trial, prosecutors painted her as an accomplice who helped Dulos cover his tracks and establish an alibi.
Despite the verdict, Troconis' family stands by her innocence, adamant that she is incapable of causing harm to anyone. They claim to have plausible explanations for every piece of evidence presented by the prosecution. In a recent interview, Troconis' sister Claudia Marmol sat down with "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty for "The Conspiracy to Murder Jennifer Dulos," airing on Saturday, April 6 at 10/9c on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount +.
The saga began on May 24, 2019, when Jennifer Dulos dropped her five children off at school before returning to her residence in the serene, upscale town of New Canaan, Connecticut. Shortly after, she mysteriously disappeared, leaving behind signs of a violent altercation in her garage. Investigators honed in on a suspect they believed had a motive for Jennifer Dulos' disappearance - her estranged husband Fotis Dulos, who she was in the process of divorcing. It was revealed that Dulos had already moved on with a new woman in his life - his girlfriend, Michelle Troconis.
Fotis Dulos refused to speak with police, but Troconis gave three interviews. The detectives told her they believed her boyfriend killed Jennifer Dulos and then disposed of her body. By then, news of the disappearance — and Fotis Dulos' affair with Troconis — had spread all over the news. The detectives accused her of covering for Fotis Dulos, and told her, "You're probably one of the most hated women in America right now." Troconis denied having any information.
Key to the case was a collection of incriminating items Fotis Dulos had thrown away the evening his wife went missing, including his wife's bloody clothing, zip ties and cleaning supplies. Police had tracked Fotis Dulos' phone to Hartford, Connecticut, and discovered surveillance footage of Fotis Dulos and Troconis driving together. Fotis Dulos was seen depositing bags into trash bins. Police were able to recover this evidence and became convinced Troconis helped him plan and cover up the crime.
Fotis Dulos would never stand trial. He died by suicide eight months after Jennifer Dulos disappeared.
Troconis' Sister Speaks Out
Claudia Marmol, sister of Michelle Troconis, shared her perspective on the recent verdict in an interview with "48 Hours." Marmol revealed that she had conversations with her sister about the evidence presented in court, particularly focusing on a surveillance video that captured Troconis leaning out of Fotis Dulos' car during a stop to dispose of items. Troconis claimed she was merely wiping her hand on the sidewalk due to gum stickiness.
According to Marmol, Fotis Dulos, known for building luxury homes, had a habit of discarding construction debris in public trash cans instead of using a dumpster. "I witnessed this in 2018," Marmol stated. "My sister didn't find it suspicious at the time."
Marmol emphasized that Troconis was deceived by Fotis Dulos, who initially appeared to be a wonderful person but later revealed his true nature. "He presented himself as charming, but he turned out to be a monster," Marmol shared with Moriarty.
Furthermore, prosecutors alleged that Troconis was involved in burning evidence on the day Jennifer Dulos disappeared. Security footage displayed to the jury depicted smoke emanating from the chimney of the residence shared by Troconis and Fotis Dulos. Prosecutor Sean McGuinness questioned the jury about the unusual act of lighting a fire on Memorial Day weekend, considering the mild weather conditions.
Marmol defended Troconis, mentioning that her sister often lit fires in the fireplace. "The weather wasn't warm. It was in the 60s, 70s," Marmol explained. "Given my sister's background in Argentina, using the fireplace for warmth and ambiance was common practice for her."
Jon Schoenhorn, the defense attorney for Troconis, argued that investigators found no evidence during a search of the home with cadaver dogs. "What was she burning in that fireplace? Firewood," Schoenhorn told the jury.
Marmol maintained that if Troconis knew the whereabouts of Jennifer Dulos' body, she would have shared that information with the police. When questioned by Moriarty, Marmol responded, "Wouldn't she have tried to make a deal with that information?" and stated, "Of course. My sister is not the person that the police and the State have wanted to portray."
The rest of the Troconis family echoed these sentiments. Following the verdict, they gathered to speak to the media, with Troconis' father, Dr. Carlos Troconis, a cardiovascular surgeon, asserting, "She's innocent, and we will keep proving that forever," while Troconis' mother and sisters cried.
Michelle Troconis has been taken to a Connecticut prison to await sentencing on May 31, facing a potential sentence of up to 50 years. Meanwhile, Jennifer Dulos remains missing. Jennifer's close friend Carrie Luft expressed, "And that's what's the most painful. Jennifer's still here in so many ways. But I think it would bring some peace to be able to let her rest in peace."
