What happened to Jennifer Dulos’ children?

When Jennifer Dulos mysteriously disappeared in Connecticut more than four years ago in the midst of a custody dispute with her estranged husband Fotis Dulos, her five children were left behind.

By January 2020, their father had also disappeared, having died by suicide three weeks after being charged with murder in Jennifer’s disappearance and death.

Within just eight months, the children – who were then aged between 8 and 13 – had lost both parents. They were taken in by their grandmother, Jennifer’s mother, Gloria Farber, who lived in New York City at the time.

Ms. Farber was awarded custody of all five children, including two sets of twins, in November 2019. At the time, they lived on Fifth Avenue in New York City. A family statement released at the time said they were “safe and surrounded by love and support.”

Jennifer was last seen on May 24, 2019 dropping off her children at New Canaan Country Day School. She was reported missing later that day after she failed to show up for appointments and stopped returning calls and texts. Her 2017 Chevrolet Suburban was later found in a park near her home.

Police believe Fotis was waiting for her when she arrived home after dropping their children off at school. Her body was never found, but she has now been officially declared dead.

Fotis died by suicide in 2020 after being charged with murder. He continued to claim his innocence – even in a suicide note left behind – while his lawyer bizarrely claimed that Jennifer had faked her own disappearance. Gone girl-style plot.

A family spokesperson, who issued a statement at the time, confirmed that the children, three boys and two girls, had visited their father in hospital before he died.

“Five children have lost both parents in eight months,” the family spokesperson wrote in a statement at the time.

“Our top priorities are ensuring their well-being and protecting their privacy. It is understandable that they wanted to say goodbye to their father, which we arranged with the help of the hospital staff.”

In August 2023, Mrs. Farber, now 88, petitioned the Darien-New Canaan Probate Court to declare Jennifer dead to protect the children. NBC Connecticut reported.

The Dulos children, now between the ages of 13 and 17, have been in the care of their grandmother since the day of Jennifer’s disappearance.

Ms. Farber’s lawyer, Richard Weinstein, said in a statement this week that the petition was filed to protect the children.

“As long as Jennifer’s status was undecided, the children could not inherit from her or her mother,” he said.

“We were obviously concerned that Ms. Farber was 88 years old and had to wait seven years.”

According to Jennifer’s will, all her assets will be left to the children now that she has been officially declared dead. The will was signed on April 26, 2017, two months before she filed for divorce from her husband Fotis.

At the time Jennifer went missing, Fotis was living in Farmington with his girlfriend Michelle Troconis.

Ms Troconis was accused of helping Fotis – her then-boyfriend – cover up the murder, with prosecutors saying surveillance footage showed the couple throwing away garbage bags containing Jennifer’s blood and DNA.

She was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with physical evidence and hindering prosecution.

On March 1, a jury found Ms. Troconis guilty of all charges.

Jennifer’s family and friends released a statement ahead of Ms Troconis’ trial.

“As this process begins, it is critical to remember who is at its center: Jennifer, whose five children have lost their mother and, where appropriate, both parents,” the statement read.

“Jennifer’s family and loved ones have lost a loving daughter, sister, cousin and lifelong friend. We don’t seek closure because nothing can bring Jennifer back. Our hope is that this process will provide accountability and answers.”

“As this process begins, we ask that you prioritize and respect the privacy of Jennifer’s family and loved ones.”