VSP identify three victims in Pawlet homicide

PAWLET, Vt. (NEWS10) -- Vermont State Police have identified the three bodies found in a Pawlet home early Sunday morning. All three were found shot to death.

The victims were identified as Brian Crossman, Sr., 46, his wife, Erica Crossman, 41, and Erica's son, Colin Taft, 13. An autopsy revealed Brian's cause of death to be gunshot wounds to the head and torso, Erica's cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, and Colin's cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.

Their deaths have been ruled homicides.

Brian was a member of the Pawlet Selectboard. The chair of the Selectboard previously gave NEWS10 a statement, saying in-part, "…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."

Police were called to the Route 133 residence on Sunday, Sept. 15 for a report of a suspicious person. The investigation is ongoing. No one is in custody. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (802) 773-9101. Anonymous tips can also be left online.