Vermont
2024 in Review: Vermont homicide investigations
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont’s homicide rate continues an upward trajectory, topping numbers not seen in nearly three decades.
In 2024, police investigated cases throughout the state, as far north as Orleans and as far south as Brattleboro.
As many cases continue to wind through the legal system, Vermont’s homicide numbers in 2024 are the third highest since 1991. And for the third straight year, homicide numbers topped 20.
“Are we seeing more homicides than we have in past years? Yeah, but I think it ebbs and flows. You know, we go from last year to this year and we’re seeing different kinds of homicide cases in general,” Vt. State Police Maj. Dan Trudeau said.
So far this year, Vermont has 23 homicide deaths. Last year, the state saw 27. And in 2022, there were 25. All three years are well above the 10-year average of 17.
Of the 23 homicides, nearly half involved the use of a gun. And of the cases investigated by state police, six are known to be drug-related, involving both suspects and victims from out of state,
Dan Trudeau with the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit says domestic violence cases are up.
“There is definitely an increased component of mental health issues with involved suspects,” he said.
This year, Vermont saw a rise in cases classified as parricide, or killing one’s parents, which criminologists say are rare.
“Typically those comprise about 1%-2% of all murders nationwide… And we’ve had at least three cases of that in Vermont,” said Penny Shtull, a criminologist at Norwich University.
One happened in Pawlet, where Brian Crossman Jr., 23, is accused of killing his father, stepmother and 13-year-old stepbrother.
Another was in Enosburgh, where Jordan Lawyer, 29, is accused of killing his father and injuring his mother.
And in Montpelier, Matthew Gomes, 29, is accused of killing his parents.
“In general we have an adult that may have longstanding conflict with their family are more likely to sever that relationship than to kill family members, so we suspect mental illness to be a factor,” Shtull said.
One case this year in St. Johnsbury remains unsolved, added to the list of four still unsolved from last year. Trudeau says while tips filter in from time to time, investigations can be complicated.
“There’s a lot of unreliable witnesses, there’s a lot of uncooperative involved people… And oftentimes very little physical evidence,” he said.
Trudeau says in most cases, the incidents are isolated and victims and suspects often know each other. But they still serve as a reminder for the public to remain vigilant.
In the last three years, only four cases have either gone to trial or ended with plea agreements.
Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.
Vermont
Vermont’s congressional delegation condemns attack on Venezuela and capture of Maduro – VTDigger
Vermont’s congressional delegation condemned the U.S. military’s attack on Venezuela over the weekend that led to the capture of the country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, and Vermont Democrats U.S. Sen. Peter Welch and U.S. Rep Becca Balint, all labeled Maduro a brutal authoritarian but said President Donald Trump’s attacks on the South American country exceeded his constitutional authority.
“Trump’s attack on Venezuela will make the United States and the world less safe. This brazen violation of international law gives a green light to any nation on earth that may wish to attack another country to seize their resources or change their governments,” Sanders said in a statement.
U.S. forces entered the Venezuelan capital of Caracas overnight Friday into Saturday, and more than 100 U.S. aircraft helped neutralize the country’s air defenses, the New York Times reported. More than 40 people were killed, according to Venezuelan authorities, though Trump said there were no Americans killed in the attack.
American troops captured both Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, later transporting them out of the country, according to news reports. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro would face charges in the U.S. of narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy, among other charges.
Trump said Saturday that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela while a transfer of power took place. The details of that plan were not immediately clear, though many of Trump’s comments focused on growing the Venezuelan oil industry.
Vermont’s top federal lawmakers wasted little time in condemning the military escalation. They had similarly criticized the staging of Vermont Air National Guard members in the Caribbean to support the military buildup against Venezuela.
“President Trump’s hunger for a regime change war makes it clear he doesn’t care about how this unauthorized and illegal action could cause further chaos and suffering in Venezuela. Has he learned nothing from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya?” Welch said in a statement Saturday. “This could lead us into another forever war, risking the lives of U.S. service members and hurting the economy.”
Balint, in her own statement, said the U.S. had made “these horrible mistakes before.”
“Americans do not want another war,” she said.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life VT numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
12-17-25-34-42, Lucky Ball: 09
Check Lucky For Life VT payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Day: 4-7-6
Evening: 7-4-9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Day: 3-4-2-2
Evening: 7-6-2-5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.
For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.
All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.
Vermont Lottery Headquarters
1311 US Route 302, Suite 100
Barre, VT
05641
When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
- Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?
Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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