Jeramie Colella Pleads Guilty to the Murders of Joanna Colella and Francis “Frank” Colella

Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces that Jeramie Colella (age 47) pled guilty and was sentenced on August 10, 2021, for killing Joanna Colella (age 43) and Francis “Frank” Colella (age 69).

On August 20, 2018, Mr. Colella approached a Dover Police Officer and confessed to killing his wife and father at his home at 18 Tideview Drive. Police responded to the home and discovered Joanna and Francis deceased in a hallway closet. An autopsy later determined that both victims died as a result of strangulation.

Mr. Colella was arrested and indicted for first and second-degree murder for causing Francis’ death, and second-degree murder for causing Joanna’s death. As part of a negotiated resolution, Mr. Colella pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to a concurrent term of 35 years to life in the New Hampshire State Prison.

This case was investigated by the Dover Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Heather A. Cherniske of the Criminal Justice Bureau.