In May 2018, Massachusetts State Police detectives responded to a reported suicide in Westfield, Massachusetts, where they found Amy Fanion dead with a gunshot wound to her head. Her husband, Brian Fanion, a Westfield Police detective, had called 911, reporting that Amy had shot herself. However, several discoveries at the scene raised questions, including the fact that the gun used was Brian’s service weapon and a lack of gunshot residue on Amy’s head, which was unusual for a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This led to an investigation into what really happened in the Fanion’s dining room that morning.
Detective Brendan O’Toole interviewed Brian Fanion and requested his phone for data extraction. Thousands of deleted text messages between Brian and a woman named Corrine Knowles were discovered, revealing their relationship had become something more than friendship. Detectives also confronted Brian about his relationship with Knowles and the lack of gunshot residue found on Amy’s wound. This led to the seizure of all of Fanion’s electronics, including his work computer, which revealed suspicious web searches and online activity leading up to Amy’s death.
Brian Fanion’s online activity included searches on household poisons, radiation sources, prescription overdoses, and divorce laws in Massachusetts. He also researched infidelity and gunshot residue testing in the days leading up to Amy’s death. The prosecution argued that these searches were related to planning Amy’s murder, while the defense claimed they were related to potential hazards in their home and an upcoming visit from a young niece. Fanion’s trial for the murder of Amy began in 2023, with testimony from family members supporting both the prosecution and defense arguments.
After a month-long trial, Brian Fanion was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. His conviction is currently under appeal. The evidence presented at trial, including his online activity and behavior leading up to Amy’s death, played a significant role in the jury’s decision. The case of the Detective’s Wife, as it has come to be known, sheds light on the complexities of investigating and prosecuting cases of intimate partner violence and potential premeditated murder. The aftermath of Amy Fanion’s tragic death continues to impact her family, the community, and all those involved in seeking justice for her.
