Deputies discovered a man allegedly murdered his mother after they were called to a burglary in upstate New York.
Joseph A. Petrella was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Amy M. Hogan, according to a Tuesday, September 15, news release from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. He’s also charged with second-degree larceny and petit larceny.
Petrella, 39, is accused of cutting and fatally stabbing Hogan, 60, in her torso during a confrontation that occurred at a mobile home in Penfield sometime between Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, according to a criminal complaint obtained by WHEC-TV.
On Sunday, Hogan’s body was found inside of a bathtub, “wrapped in a plastic shower curtain,” the complaint states.
Several frozen items were packed around her body, according to the filing, which noted there appeared to be an attempt to hide her body.
Deputies were ultimately led to Hogan’s body following a 911 call that came from Petrella’s neighbor, the sheriff’s office said.
The neighbor said a person had broken into their car and home, Monroe County Chief Deputy Michael Fowler said during a Tuesday news conference. They also reported some of their items went missing.
While investigating, deputies “were pointed to” Petrella, who they then questioned, according to Fowler.
During questioning, Petrella invited deputies into his home, where they continued to investigate.
While inside, one deputy noticed unusual signs and became increasingly concerned, Fowler said. Then, Hogan’s body was found.
Petrella was subsequently arrested.
Fowler credited deputies for being able “to identify that there was something much more significant going on here besides just a burglary.”
Petrella was arraigned and ordered to be held without bail at the Monroe County Jail on Tuesday, according to Fowler.
Information on whether he retained legal counsel wasn’t immediately available.
Lori Broccolo, a woman who described herself as Hogan’s lifelong friend, told WHEC-TV that the slain mother “was a best friend to everyone.”
“Finding out how horrible this was for her was hard because she was such a bright light, and I know everyone says that when someone dies, but she lit up a room,” Broccolo added.
Hogan, who was born in Rochester, is survived by her mother, two brothers, four of her children, including Petrella, and two grandchildren, according to her online obituary.
The obituary described Hogan as “a woman of many talents” who enjoyed painting, crocheting, pottery, gardening, cooking and more.
“She was a creative person in everything, and that creativity shone especially bright when she was creating for her family,” the page states. “Whether the creations were edible, decorative, or in making magic for every holiday and birthday, her touch was everywhere in her family and among her friends.”
