Photo: New Canaan Police Department
Her contentious divorce is still dragging on.
By Rebecca Jane Stokes — Written on May 30, 2019
When a couple decides to end their marriage and go their respective ways, it isn't always easy, especially when there are kids involved. Remember, there is a fine line between the extreme emotions of love and hate. When two people who once loved each other find that love is going, it isn't surprising for virulent feelings of hatred to started bubbling up in the place where that old love once was.
That's likely exactly what happened to Jennifer Farber Dulos and her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos. Where love once blossomed there grew only rancor as their disdain turned to hatred in the vicious custody battle for their five children. Now Jennifer is missing and things aren't looking good. Here's what we know so far. Where is Jennifer Farber Dulos?
1. Jennifer's Disappearance
Friday, May 24th was the last time anyone in New Canaan, Connecticut saw 50-year-old Jennifer Farber Dulos. The mother of five was spotted by friends in her Chevy Suburban not long after dropping off her kids at school for the day. er friends and family became concerned after Jennifer was reported to have missed several appointments without giving anyone a heads up.
Jennifer's disappearance is troubling because it comes two years into the highly contentious divorce proceedings from her ex-husband, Fotis Dulos. Jennifer's car was found at 7pm on the night she was reported missing. The police examined it thoroughly for evidence and then began their sweep of the area to no avail. The hunt is still ongoing, with dogs, cars and even drones being enlisted to help find the missing woman.
2. The Custody Battle
Sometimes when a couple divorces, it's relatively a clean affair. Couples with children often go to great lengths to make it this way for their children. That has not been the case with Jennifer and her ex-husband, Fotis. The couple got married in 2004 and divorced in 2017. At the time of their separation, Jennifer filed for and received temporary custody of the children, but it didn't stop there.
She also filed a temporary restraining order against Fotis who she believed was going to abscond with the children, potentially taking them out of the country to his native Greece where they would never be seen again. Eventually, the couple was given joint custody, but the more than 400 motions filed regarding their custody agreement made it clear that neither one found the solution to be stable, safe, or agreeable, making frequent claims that the other was irrational and dangerous.
3. The In-Laws
Fotis Dulos' disagreements (to put it mildly) with his ex-wife weren't the only legal proceedings he was battling at the time of Jennifer's disappearance. Fotis' former in-laws and Jennifer's father, Hilliard Farber's estate is currently suing Fortis for $2.5 million that they allege the man owes them for the cost of properties they advanced him the cash to buy, flip and sell. According to Hilliard Farber's estate, the agreement made between Fotis and the estate stipulated that Fotis make payments in order to reimburse his father-in-law's estate for the initial cost of the properties that were loaned. According to the lawyers representing the estate, Fotis stopped making those payments. Child custody disputes and multi-million dollar debt? It's enough to make Fotis look suspicious.
4. The Family Speaks
The search for Jennifer continues with her family and friends keeping their hopes up that she will be found. Jennifer, a writer, studied at Brown University and New York University. Most recently, she contributed pieces to the local Patch website in her neighborhood. Her family and friends have issued a statement in the hopes of bringing her home. It reads in part: "Those who know Jennifer know her to be a devoted mother; an extremely thoughtful, reliable, and organized woman; and attest that she would never, ever, disappear when she is responsible for the lives of five loving and energetic children. Jennifer is gentle, kind, intelligent, and funny, and above all she prioritizes the health and happiness of her children. She and the children have been embraced by the New Canaan Country School community, where they have made good friends and are active in athletics and arts."
5. The Gun
During the various custody filings made by Jennifer prior to her disappearance, she alleged that she felt unsafe with the children being around her husband because she claimed that he kept a gun in the house. She also alleged that the gun wasn't licensed. In order for Fotis to receive any custody at all, he had to relinquish the gun. Fotis did that, giving the gun to the authorities. This did not appear to give Jennifer any comfort, as she filed further motions to try and limit Fotis' involvement with the children. Even today as they continue to look for her, Jennifer's estranged husband continues to fight for custody of the children who are currently staying with Jennifer's mother.
Rebecca Jane Stokes is a writer living in Brooklyn, New York with her cats, Batman and Margot. She's an experienced generalist with a passion for lifestyle, geek news, pop culture, and true crime. For more of her work, check out her Tumblr.