Dover, NH Man Who Hid Bodies of Wife and Father in Closet Sentenced

A Dover man who approached a local police officer to confess that he had killed his wife and father was sentenced to prison on Tuesday.

Jeramie Colella, 47, killed Joanna Colella, 43, and Francis "Frank" Colella, 69, at 18 Tideview Drive in Dover. He confessed to the killings almost three years ago on Aug. 20, 2018.

Police responded to the home and discovered Joanna Colella and Francis Colella deceased in a hallway closet.

The condo belonged to Jeramie and Joanna Colella. Francis Colella was staying there at the time of his death.

After the bodies were removed from the condo, an autopsy revealed that the victims were strangled by hand.

Jeramie Colella was arrested and indicted for first and second-degree murder for causing Francis Colella's death, and second-degree murder for causing Joanna Colella’s death.

On Tuesday, Jeramie 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 members of the Dover Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Heather A. Cherniske of the Criminal Justice Bureau, according to a press release.

Contact Managing News Editor Kimberley Haas at Kimberley.Haas@townsquaremedia.com.