Man Executes Wife on Their Wedding Anniversary Trip

A Deadly Anniversary: The Murder of Emily Ferlazzo

What was supposed to be a romantic weekend getaway to celebrate a one-year wedding anniversary ended in a horrific tragedy. The story of Joseph and Emily Ferlazzo began as a whirlwind romance but quickly devolved into a nightmare of abuse, deceit, and ultimately, cold-blooded murder.

A Whirlwind Romance

Emily Jean Schwartz was born on July 25, 1999, in Plymouth, New Hampshire. A true New Englander, she had a deep passion for the outdoors, spending her summers visiting Hampton Beach and taking trips to Acadia National Park to hike, rock climb, and camp.

In 2018, Emily, then a nurse, met Joseph Ferlazzo, a 41-year-old tattoo artist. Despite the significant age gap—which Joseph claimed only bothered onlookers and friends—he described their connection as “euphoric” and “magnetic.”

In August 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Emily proposed to Joseph. They moved into a converted bus they called “Roaming Rosie” and were married. However, the wedding came as a shock to Emily’s family, particularly her mother, Adrienne Bass, who noted that the couple seemed to constantly go back and forth regarding their commitment.

A Relationship Marred by Abuse

Behind closed doors, the marriage was fraught with instability and violence.

The Family’s Perspective: Emily’s mother told investigators there was a history of domestic violence, often noticing her daughter covered in scratches and bruises. While Emily initially blamed the injuries on rough sex, she eventually admitted they were caused by Joseph. In early 2021, she even filled out divorce paperwork before the two ultimately reconciled.

Joseph’s Perspective: Joseph painted a different picture, claiming Emily was physically abusive toward him. He alleged she would go through his phone, get frustrated by his infidelity, and physically attack him.

The Anniversary Trip to Vermont

In October 2021, seeking a safe way to celebrate their one-year anniversary, the couple decided to take “Roaming Rosie” to Bolton, Vermont. They planned to camp in the picturesque Green Mountains and meet up with Joseph’s sister, Nicole, who had rented a nearby Airbnb.

Timeline of Events: October 15, 2021

Time Event
7:20 PM The couple arrives at the Bear Run Condos in Bolton, Vermont. They briefly meet Nicole in the parking lot.
8:13 PM Emily sends her final Facebook message to her family.
9:39 PM Joseph texts his sister: “Hey, we’re going to take the night to rest 🙂 You still drink coffee? We’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
10:14 PM Emily’s last location data is logged via her phone.
12:01 AM Joseph turns his phone off.

Instead of enjoying the evening, a massive argument broke out. Joseph had unknowingly brought Emily to the very condo complex where his ex-wife lived. The fight escalated over Joseph’s infidelity, and Emily told him she was done with the marriage and wanted to leave.

The Gruesome Discovery and Confession

On October 18, Joseph returned to New Hampshire alone, prompting Emily’s family to report her missing. When questioned by Vermont State Police, Joseph initially lied, claiming Emily had called an Uber and left the campsite after an argument.

However, Joseph’s friend, Spencer Lemons, soon noticed red flags. Joseph asked Spencer to help him retrieve his bus. When they arrived at the location, it was surrounded by police vehicles. A panicked Joseph instructed Spencer to drive past the police. When Spencer demanded to know what was going on, Joseph confessed: Emily was dead inside the bus, and he had killed her. Spencer immediately called 911.

On October 19, investigators searched the converted van and found human remains, later confirmed to be Emily’s.

The Trial: Self-Defense vs. Cold-Blooded Murder

During his 2024 trial for first-degree murder, Joseph claimed self-defense. He testified that Emily attacked him with a lit candle, punched and kicked him, and eventually pulled a Taurus handgun on him, telling him, “That’s it. You’re dead.” Joseph claimed he grabbed his own Glock out of terror and shot her twice to save his own life.

The prosecution dismantled this narrative, presenting a chilling sequence of premeditated events:

The Execution: After the argument, Emily lay in bed scrolling on her phone. Joseph retrieved a silenced Glock 19, grabbed a throw pillow, placed it over her face, and shot her twice in the left side of the head.

The Cover-Up: Joseph left Emily’s body in the bus’s shower and went about his weekend. He got coffee and went out to eat with his sister, acting as if nothing had happened.

The Dismemberment: Realizing he needed to dispose of the body, he bought bleach from a local Hannaford. Using a serrated saw and multiple knives, he brutally dismembered her and placed her remains in garbage bags. The autopsy also revealed Emily’s torso had been stabbed multiple times, including a strike to the heart.

The Verdict

The jury saw through Joseph’s claims of self-defense. It took the 12-person jury only until the next day to return a verdict: Guilty of First-Degree Murder.

Joseph Ferlazzo was sentenced to 42.5 years to life in prison. He is currently serving his sentence in the Vermont Department of Corrections, closing the final, tragic chapter on a young woman whose life was stolen by the man she married.