In the small town of Hartland, Maine, the quiet of the autumn season was shattered in 1999 by the grim discovery of the death of 62-year-old Gene Gogan. On October 1st of that year, the male resident was shot three times in the head as he slept in his own home. The events that followed this violent act would unfold into a story of a deeply troubled marriage and its brutal end.
The person responsible for Gene Gogan's death was his wife of 37 years, Vella Gogan.
After shooting her husband, she dismembered his body into 17 pieces. In the days that followed, she transported his remains to a wooded area near his hunting camp in Mayfield and buried them in various locations. The gruesome details of the murder came to light after Vella confided in her sister, who then convinced her to confess to the police. This led to an extensive six-day search of the area, during which authorities were able to recover 15 of the 17 body parts; the victim's thighs were never found.
Vella Gogan, who had previous experience as a butcher's assistant, was initially charged with murder. During the court proceedings, a narrative of prolonged domestic abuse emerged. Her defense attorneys argued that she had endured decades of abuse from her husband, which they claimed had become more frequent and violent in the years leading up to the killing. This history of abuse was a significant factor in the legal proceedings.
Ultimately, Vella Gogan pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. She was sentenced to six years in prison for the death of her husband. Her case brought to light the dark and complex issues of domestic violence that can fester behind closed doors, culminating in a tragic and violent conclusion that left a lasting mark on the small Maine community.
