The small town of Pawlet, Vermont, has been rocked by a tragic and mysterious triple murder that claimed the lives of local select board member Brian Crossman, his wife Erica, and her 13-year-old son, Colin Taft. The murders, which occurred at the family’s farmhouse over the weekend, have left the tight-knit community shaken and searching for answers.
On Sunday, police were alerted by a 911 call from a relative of the family, who was identified as a person of interest. The individual, covered in blood-stained clothes, was waiting at a nearby school when officers arrived.
After accompanying police back to the Crossman home, the grisly discovery was made: the bodies of Brian, 46, Erica, 41, and Colin, who had been shot to death. Despite the shocking nature of the crime, authorities have not yet named a suspect and insist there is no ongoing threat to the community, leaving many questions unanswered.
The Vermont State Police have remained tight-lipped about a possible motive, and no one is currently in custody. Investigators are asking anyone with information to come forward as they continue to piece together the details of this disturbing case.
Brian Crossman, a hardworking lineman, had recently stepped into a more public role as a member of the Pawlet select board. He took the position last spring and was quickly appointed as the liaison to the Highway Department and town buildings.
Known for his dedication to his community, Crossman and his wife had recently taken over his family’s farm, a property that had been passed down for generations. The couple, who had only married in June, were reportedly trying to make a fresh start by reviving the family farm, which they had taken over from Crossman’s sister.
The tragedy has left the town of 1,400 residents near the New York state line in a state of shock and grief. At Tuesday’s select board meeting, Crossman’s seat was poignantly filled with flowers as a tribute to his memory.
Pawlet Select Board Chairman Mike Beecher expressed the sorrow felt by the entire community in a statement, calling Crossman “a friend and neighbor, a hardworking community member.” He added, “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.”
