Brian Fanion Arraigned on First Degree Murder in Connection With Wife’s Death

November 7, 2019 -Springfield- On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, first responders from the City of Westfield advised Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office  that there was a reported suicide at the home of Amy, 51, and Brian Fanion, 55, 9 North Road in Westfield. 

Upon arrival, detectives received initial information that Brian Fanion, a Westfield Police detective at the time, was on-duty and went home for lunch. While home on his lunch break, he claimed, his wife used his service weapon to inflict a fatal wound upon herself.  The Westfield Police and Fire Departments arrived on scene after Brian Fanion placed a 9-1-1 call. First responders immediately determined Amy Fanion to be deceased.  

The following day a post-mortem examination of the victim was done by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, from which a gunshot wound was determined to be the cause of death. The manner of death was left undetermined pending additional analysis.

By the investigation of the Hampden District Attorney and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit, a search warrant was granted for Brian Fanion’s residence and for a high definition survey scan for various digital evidence items, including computers, tablets, and cellular devices. Forensic examinations were later conducted on these items that revealed incriminating evidence.

During the course of the investigation, numerous interviews were conducted, and various investigative resources were utilized. Experts in ballistics and pathology were consulted in order to advance the investigation.                                        

On November 6, 2019, a Hampden County Grand Jury issued an indictment against Mr. Brian Fanion for Murder in the First Degree, with the victim being Amy J. Fanion.

Shortly after reporting of the indictment, members of the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit attached to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office along with members from the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section placed Brian Fanion under arrest at his home.  

He was arraigned Thursday morning in Hampden Superior Court where he was held without the right to bail. His next scheduled court date is on January 9, 2020.  

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