A small Vermont town was left in shock this week following the tragic discovery of three family members found dead in their home. Brian Crossman, Sr., 46, a newly elected member of the Pawlet Selectboard, his wife Erica Pawlusiak Crossman, 41, and her 13-year-old son, Colin Taft, were found shot to death early Sunday morning, September 15, 2024. Authorities have ruled all three deaths as homicides.
Vermont State Police were led to the home on Route 133 in Pawlet, Vermont, by a relative of the victims, who called 911 and met police at a nearby school. The relative’s clothes were reportedly soaked in blood. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered the bodies, each of whom had been fatally shot. Brian Crossman sustained gunshot wounds to his head and torso while Erica Crossman was shot in the head and her son suffered numerous gunshot injuries according to state police.
Authorities have not yet made any arrests as of September 18 but have identified the relative as a person of interest. Police stated that their initial investigation indicated the incident was isolated and that there was no threat to the community. The Vermont State Police have urged anyone to contact the Rutland Barracks.
Brian Crossman had only joined the Pawlet Selectboard earlier this year. The board, responsible for overseeing town ordinances and expenditures, held a somber meeting on Tuesday, during which flowers were placed at his vacant seat. Mike Beecher, Chair of the Selectboard, read a statement: “Brian Crossman 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.”
Crossman, a lineman for Green Mountain Power, had been working to revive his family’s farm, which he had recently taken over. Brian and Erica were married just a few months ago, in June 2024, and had been focusing on building a new life together on the farm.
Neighbors have expressed their grief and disbelief at the loss of the family. One neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said, “It’s hard to even make sense of what happened. I just know three people are dead, and that’s not good.”
The investigation is ongoing, with assistance from the Major Crime Unit, the Crime Scene Search Team, and the Vermont State Police Detective Bureau. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward.
