A horrific discovery was made in a small Vermont town near the New York border when three family members, including a town official, were found dead in their rural farmhouse after police were alerted to the scene by a blood-covered relative.

The deaths of Brian Crossman, his wife Erica Crossman, and her teenage son, Colin Taft, have been ruled homicides, but authorities have yet to make any arrests as the investigation continues, as the New York Post reports.

The small rural town of Tawlett, Vermont, is reeling from the news of the murders. The farmhouse, where the family was found, has been in the Crossman family for generations. The tragedy was discovered after a relative, covered in blood, contacted the police and waited for them at a nearby school before taking officers to the home.

Victims Identified as Vermont Family Members

The victims were identified as Brian Crossman, 46, his wife Erica, 41, and her 13-year-old son, Colin. All three were discovered shot dead in the farmhouse. The authorities confirmed that Brian had suffered gunshot wounds to the head and torso, while Erica was shot at least once in the head. Colin, the youngest victim, died from multiple gunshot wounds.

The Vermont State Police officially ruled all three deaths as homicides, though no further information about a suspect or motive has been released. Despite the ongoing investigation, no arrests have been made as of Wednesday, leaving the community on edge.

Relative Calls Police to the Scene

The chilling details began to unfold after the police received a call from a relative who was found with blood-covered clothing. The unnamed individual waited for law enforcement at a local school before guiding them to the family farmhouse, where the bodies were found. This relative's connection to the crime is still under investigation, though police have not confirmed if they are a suspect or simply a witness.

The town of Pawlet, where Brian Crossman had recently been elected to the town’s Select Board, was particularly shaken by the news. Crossman had been serving a one-year term and had a reputation as a hardworking and committed community member. He had also been working to maintain the family farm, an effort that those close to him described as a “new start.”

Community Mourns the Loss of Local Leader

At a regularly scheduled Selectboard meeting, the absence of Crossman was painfully felt. Flowers were placed at his usual seat as a tribute to the man who had quickly become an integral part of the local government. Mike Beecher, the chairperson of the Pawlet Selectboard, expressed the profound impact the loss has had on the town.

“Brian Crossman was a friend and neighbor, a hardworking community member who just this year stepped up to join the Pawlet Selectboard,” Beecher said. He went on to describe the widespread grief felt by those who knew Crossman, adding, “This tragedy that struck him and his family has also hit our community hard, and we are shaken and grieving.”

A Tragic Attempt at a New Start

Brian Crossman and his wife Erica had been married just a few months before the tragedy. Their farmhouse, located near the New York border, had been passed down through the family, and Brian had taken on the responsibility of revitalizing it. A family member spoke about his efforts, saying, “He was cleaning it up and working the farm. I think he was just trying to make a new start and trying to run the family farm.”

The farmhouse, a symbol of familial heritage, has now become the site of an unfathomable tragedy. Those who knew the Crossman family are still coming to terms with the violent end to their lives.

Investigation Continues with No Arrests

As the investigation moves forward, there has been no word from the Vermont State Police on potential suspects or persons of interest. The relative who alerted authorities has not been named or linked to any wrongdoing at this stage. Detectives continue to gather evidence and interview those close to the victims in an effort to understand the motive behind the killings.

Despite the lack of arrests, authorities have assured the public that officials are doing everything possible to resolve the case. The community of Tawlett, meanwhile, remains in shock as residents await answers about the horrific crime that has torn apart a well-known local family.

Farmhouse Has Long History in the Family

The farmhouse where the killings took place holds a deep history for the Crossman family. A neighbor, who is also related to the victims, explained that the home had been in the family for generations. “That house is like my great grandfather’s, so everybody congregated there,” the neighbor shared, indicating the farmhouse’s role as a gathering place for the extended family.

Now, the place that once symbolized family unity and tradition is the site of a heart-wrenching crime that has left an indelible mark on the community.

Conclusion

The murders of Brian Crossman, his wife Erica, and her son Colin have shaken the quiet town of Tawlett, Vermont, as the investigation into their tragic deaths continues.

The three were found shot to death in a farmhouse with deep family roots, alerted by a blood-covered relative who called the police.

As authorities work to gather evidence, the small town mourns the loss of a family and a dedicated community leader in Brian Crossman. Local officials and residents alike continue to grieve, with no arrests made and no clear answers yet in sight.