No one reported a Vt. man was missing. Now, girlfriend and mom are suspects in his death

Police said they believe a Sheldon woman helped her daughter kill her boyfriend late last year. They’ve charged her in the case and are searching for her daughter.

Carmen Guttilla, 60, pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in Vermont Superior Court in Chittenden County Monday afternoon. If convicted, Guttilla faces life in prison.

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A judge ordered her held without bail pending a “weight of the evidence” hearing to determine whether she can be released from jail while tried.

The arrest came after human remains were found in Highgate over the weekend.

Vermont State Police said Monday they suspect Carmen Guttilla’s daughter, Erika Guttilla, 31, killed her boyfriend, Troy Ford, who was 35. The homicide took place several months ago at the home of Erika Guttilla’s parents, police said.

The human remains were found by two women walking their dogs Saturday in a wooded area near Darlene Drive, police said. Darlene Drive is an offshoot of Charles Circle, where Ford and Erika Guttilla lived with Carmen and Michael Guttilla.

Ford was never reported missing, said Adam Silverman, a spokesman for the Vermont State Police.

Carmen Guttilla was cited into court on suspicion of aiding in the commission of a murder.

Police are looking for Erika Guttilla and Corey Cassani, 28 of Highgate, who they said also had involvement in this case. The pair should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.

Both Erika Guttilla and Cassani have “extensive histories with law enforcement.”

Their whereabouts are unknown. Vermont State Police have called in the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service to help with the search.

Monday afternoon, police located in Swanton a 2013 red, four-door Chevrolet Spark with a Vermont license plate reading FHN394 they believe to be connected to Erika Guttilla and Cassani.

Erika Guttilla is a female, 5-feet 6-inches tall, weighing 120 pounds, with green eyes and blonde hair. Corey Cassani is a male, 5-feet 9-inches tall, weighing 165 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair, police said.

Anyone with information about the case or the whereabouts of Erika Guttilla and Corey Cassani should call Vermont State Police at the St. Albans barracks, 802-524-5993.

Contact Jess Aloe at 802-660-1874 or jaloe@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @jess_aloe