Officers discovered a man had 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. Hoganaccording to a Tuesday, September 15th, Press release from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. He is also charged with second-degree larceny and petit larceny.
Petrella, 39, is accused of cutting open and fatally stabbing Hogan, 60, during an altercation between Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13, at a mobile home in Penfield, a criminal complaint by WHEC-TV.
On Sunday, Hogan’s body was found in a bathtub “wrapped in a plastic shower curtain,” the complaint says.
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According to the files, several frozen objects were packed around her body, indicating that there was an apparent attempt to hide her body.
After a 911 call from Petrella’s neighbor, officers were eventually led to Hogan’s body, the sheriff’s office said.
The neighbor said a person broke into his car and his house, Monroe County Deputy Captain said Michael Fowler said during a Tuesday press conference. They also reported that some of their items were missing.
During the investigation, according to Fowler, officers were “referred to” Petrella, who they then interviewed.
During questioning, Petrella invited officers to her home where they continued the investigation.
While inside, an officer noticed unusual signs and became increasingly concerned, Fowler said. Then Hogan’s body was found.
Petrella was subsequently arrested.
Fowler praised officers for “being able to recognize that there was something much more significant going on here than just a burglary.”
Fowler said Petrella was arraigned Tuesday and held without bail in the Monroe County Jail.
Information about whether he had retained legal representation was not immediately available.
Lori Broccolosaid a woman who described herself as Hogan’s lifelong friend WHEC-TV that the murdered mother was “a best friend to everyone.”
“It was hard to figure out how terrible that was for her 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 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 every sense of the word, and that creativity shined through especially clearly when she created for her family,” the page reads. “Whether the creations were edible, decorative or magical for every holiday and birthday, her touch was felt throughout her family and friends.”
