Man Convicted of Dismembering Wife During Anniversary Trip, Leaving Remains in Camper Bathroom

A New Hampshire man has been convicted of murdering his wife while the two were on a trip to celebrate their first wedding anniversary in 2021.

A Vermont jury found that Emily Jean Schwarz, 22, was killed and dismembered by her husband Joseph Ferlazzo in October, 2021, when the two were on a trip in the town of Bolton, per WMUR, the New Hampshire Union Leader and NBC Boston.

The verdict comes a little over three years after the couple went on vacation to celebrate their anniversary.

Schwarz’s family reported her missing that October after Ferlazzo, then 41, returned from their anniversary trip without her, WWLP and the Burlington Free Press previously reported, citing a criminal complaint. He reportedly told them the couple had an argument and Schwarz stormed off. 

During the investigation, when Ferlazzo spoke to authorities, he reportedly confessed to killing her inside their vehicle, Vermont State Police said in a statement at the time. 

The vehicle, a bus converted into a “living and traveling space” by the couple, was found by police during their investigation, Vermont authorities said at the time. Inside, they found Schwarz’s dismembered body parts. 

During the trial, Ferlazzo claimed he killed his wife in self-defense, per WCAX, NBC 5 and the New Hampshire Union Leader.

“I have one flash of memory where I cut into her leg with a knife,” he told the court, adding that he has no other recollection of stabbing her.

“It made me sick,” he said on the stand.

Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George said the jury did not believe this claim and were not able to match Ferlazzo’s statements with evidence presented during trial, per NBC 5.

“The verdict couldn’t be any better,” Schwarz’s mother Adrienne Bass said, according to the outlet. “For me it was really just relief and feeling like we got the justice that Emily deserves.”

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In an obituary following her death, Schwarz was remembered as a “beautiful, aspiring singer” with an “infectious personality.”

“Emily’s dream was to become a cosmetologist and to help make people feel good about themselves, something she herself struggled with from time to time,” read part of the obituary. “Even in her darkest moments, her hope and determination to survive shone brightly. She always persevered and fought for what was right.” 

Ferlazzo is scheduled to be sentenced in February, NBC 5 and WCAX reported.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.