New HampshireDepartment of JusticeOffice of the Attorney General

News Release

For Immediate Release
August 23, 2018

Contact:
John J. Kennedy, Assistant Attorney General
603-892-5883 (cell)
john.kennedy@doj.nh.gov

Nicole Clay, Attorney

Autopsy Results for Joanna Colella and Francis Colella

New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald and Dover Police Chief William Breault announce autopsy results for Joanna Colella, age 43, and Francis Colella, age 69.

The bodies of Joanna and Francis Colella were discovered at 18 Tideview Drive in Dover on Monday, August 20. Jeramie Colella was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder for knowingly causing the deaths of Joanna and Francis Colella.

On August 22, autopsies were performed on Joanna and Frances Colella by Chief Medical Examiner Jennie V. Duval. Dr. Duval determined that the cause of death for both Joanna Colella and Francis Colella was manual strangulation. Dr. Duval determined that the manner of death for both was homicide.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Mark Nadeau at 603-742-4646 or m.nadeau@dover.nh.gov.

New Hampshire Department of Justice
1 Granite Place South | Concord, NH | 03301
Telephone: 603-271-3658