In the quiet town of Bridport, Vermont, the morning of January 24, 2024, brought with it a grim discovery that would unravel a tragic story. Stephen Nuciolo Sr., a 44-year-old White male, was found deceased in his Swinton Road home. Vermont State Police troopers arrived at the residence shortly before 9 a.m. after receiving a report that he had passed away sometime during the night.
Initially, the circumstances surrounding his death were unclear, prompting an immediate and thorough investigation.
Nuciolo's body was transported to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of his death. The following day, the medical examiner's initial findings led state police to classify the death as suspicious. This development brought members of the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, and the Crime Scene Search Team to the Swinton Road home to process the scene for evidence. While the investigation was in its early stages, authorities assured the public that they believed it to be an isolated incident with no broader threat to the community.
Weeks later, in February, the Chief Medical Examiner's Office released a crucial piece of information: Stephen Nuciolo Sr. had died from a gunshot wound to the head. However, the manner of death remained pending as the investigation, including toxicology reports, continued. For months, the case progressed quietly as detectives worked to piece together the events that led to Nuciolo's untimely death.
A significant breakthrough in the case came in April 2025. Following developments that occurred over a weekend, Vermont State Police arrested a suspect. The individual taken into custody was Stephen Nuciolo Jr., the 18-year-old son of the victim. He was arrested without incident and charged with second-degree murder in connection with his father's death. Nuciolo Jr. was subsequently jailed without bail and awaited arraignment in Vermont Superior Court. The prosecution of the case was handed over to the Vermont Attorney General's Office.
