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On May 8, 2018, Massachusetts State Police detectives were called to a reported suicide in Westfield, where they discovered Amy Fanion deceased on her dining room floor with a gunshot wound to her head. Her husband, Brian Fanion, a Westfield Police detective, alerted authorities, claiming Amy had taken her own life.
Upon arrival, detectives uncovered several inconsistencies in Brian’s account. Notably, the gun used in the incident was Brian’s service weapon, and there was an unexpected absence of gunshot residue on Amy’s head, raising suspicions about the nature of her death. A recent episode of “48 Hours,” featuring contributor Nikki Battiste, revisits the investigation in an episode titled “The Detective’s Wife,” available for streaming on Paramount+.
Detective Brendan O’Toole brought Brian to the State Police barracks in Russell for questioning about the events leading up to Amy’s death. During the interview, O’Toole requested access to Brian’s phone. Brian complied, but with a notable statement: “You’re going to see some things on there and it’s not what it appears to be,” according to O’Toole.
Subsequent investigations revealed a trove of deleted text messages between Brian and a woman named Corrine Knowles, or Cori. While Brian had claimed that he and Knowles were merely friends, the messages suggested a deeper relationship.
On May 17, just days after Amy’s wake, detectives confronted Brian about his connection with Knowles and the gunshot residue discrepancy. O’Toole noted, “There’s no doubt she was shot … but the question is, from what distance?”
Within a week following Amy’s death, authorities seized Brian’s electronics, including his work computer. Detective Tom Forest from the Cyber Crime Unit examined the hard drive, which exhibited peculiar web searches that drew attention. These internet inquiries commenced roughly three months prior to Amy’s death, coinciding with the evolving nature of Brian and Cori’s relationship. Hampden County Assistant District Attorney Mary Sandstrom commented that these searches only began when the affair intensified.
The web searches included inquiries into common household poisons, dangerous radiation sources, and overdosing on prescription medications. On February 12, Brian Googled terms like “household poisons” and “worst sources of radiation.” At trial, Brian’s defense attorney, Jeffrey Brown, contended that such searches were related to potential hazards in their aging home, as they were preparing for a young niece to stay.
Throughout March and April 2018, Brian frequently researched Cori, simultaneously questioning the ethics of infidelity. By April 17, he was investigating divorce laws in Massachusetts, with particular attention to pension rights following a divorce. Cori later testified that Brian was concerned about losing part of his pension if he pursued a divorce.
On April 27, just days before Amy’s death, Brian searched for information on gunshot residue (GSR) on his work computer, browsing multiple pages related to the collection and analysis of GSR. Sandstrom pointed out that these searches were unrelated to any active investigations at the Westfield Police Department.
On May 7, the day before Amy’s tragic end, Brian looked up how to delete contacts from his phone. At trial, the defense suggested he was preparing for a new phone. However, Sandstrom argued that the specific focus on frequently contacted numbers indicated an intent to conceal his relationship with Cori from investigators.
Brian’s trial for Amy’s murder commenced on February 23, 2023. During the proceedings, Amy’s sister, Anna Hansen, recalled a troubling revelation where Brian confessed he was worried about some of his internet searches, specifically regarding making a murder look like a suicide.
Early on the day of Amy’s death, while still at work, Brian searched for information on the Massachusetts medical examiner offices and various Massachusetts State Police forensic units. In her closing arguments, Sandstrom asserted that Brian was preparing for a premeditated murder, highlighting the timing and nature of his searches as substantial evidence.
Brian’s defense countered with claims that Amy had struggled with severe anxiety and anger issues, leading many family members to write in support of Brian, asserting their belief that Amy had taken her own life. Despite this testimony supporting the defense, after a month-long trial, the jury found Brian Fanion guilty of first-degree murder. He received a life sentence. Currently, his conviction is under appeal.
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