Indictments handed down in double homicide
A man accused of stabbing a former Cape Coral woman to death has been indicted in the double homicide that also left a New Hampshire woman dead.
Timothy Verrill, formerly of Dover, was indicted for two counts of first-degree murder in the Jan. 27 deaths Christine Sullivan, 48, and Jenna Pellegrini, 32, at a rural home in Farmington, New Hampshire. Verrill also was indicted for two counts of reckless second-degree murder and five counts of falsifying physical evidence in connection with the deaths, according to a Nov. 22 release from the New Hampshire Department of Justice.
The women’s bodies, wrapped in tarps and trash bags and hidden beneath a porch, were found by police responding to a 3 a.m. emergency call to the home at 979 Meaderboro Road.
Verrill, 34 at the time of the murders,was indicted for first-degree murder for purposely causing Sullivan’s death “by stabbing her multiple times and striking her in the head with a blunt object.” the release states. An alternative count of second-degree murder alleges that Verrill “recklessly caused the death of Ms. Sullivan under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by stabbing her multiple times and striking her in the head with a blunt object.”
Verrill was also indicted for first-degree murder “for purposely causing the death of Jenna Pellegrini by stabbing her multiple times. An alternative count of second-degree murder alleges that Mr. Verrill recklessly caused the death of Ms. Pellegrini under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by stabbing her multiple times.”
Verrill also was charged with five counts of falsifying physical evidence in a crime investigators say began as a drug buy at the home.
It is alleged that Verrill, “believing that an investigation into the murders was about to be instituted:” concealed Sullivan’s body by wrapping it in various tarps and coverings, hiding it underneath a porch at her home; concealed Pellegrini’s body by wrapping it in various tarps, trash bags and coverings, placing it underneath a porch as well; altered a blood stain on the exterior porch of the residence by pouring Prestone Driveway Heat ice melt onto the stain; concealed a blood-stained sheet, as well as Pellegrini’s personal belongings inside a black plastic trash bag in the basement of the residence; and concealed a number of blood-stained items inside a clear plastic trash bag in the basement.
Verrill, who was taken into custody by the Massachusetts State Police Fugitive Justice Team on Feb. 6 at a medical facility in Lawrence, remains in custody without bail.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas A. Andrew previously determined that cause of Sullivan’s death was multiple stab wounds as well as blunt impact injuries and that the cause of Pellegrini’s death was multiple stab wounds.
Sullivan was a photographer in Cape Coral for several years, specializing in portraiture and candid images captured from the local music scene.
She also organized multiple fundraisers locally, including one following Hurricane Sandy for victims of the storm.
In her memory, the “Commemorative Rockin’ for Christine benefit” was held at Backstreets in Cape Coral in March. Money raised from the event, which included live music, auctions and raffles, was donated to the Abuse Counseling & Treatment center.
ACT provides free services to victims of domestic violence and their children through a 24-hour hotline, safety planning, emergency shelter, counseling, forensic examinations and more in Lee, Glades and Hendry counties.