A New York City man has been charged with murder following an investigation that began with a report of a robbery at his residence. Upon responding to the complaint, authorities discovered the body of the suspect's mother, who had been killed and concealed in a bathtub.
A 39-year-old man, identified as Joseph Petrella, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a 60-year-old woman, Amy Hogan. In addition to the murder charge, Petrella has also been accused of second-degree theft and a separate count of minor theft, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
During a hearing at the Monroe County Court on Wednesday, Petrella entered a not guilty plea to the charges, as reported by WHAM, an ABC affiliate in Rochester.
The individual in question continues to be held at the Monroe County prison, with no bail granted, and is set to appear in court on December 4.
On September 13, 2026, at approximately 3 p.m., the Monroe County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a potential theft at an apartment located on Ewald Drive in Penfield.
A town situated in the northern region of the state of New York is positioned east of the city of Rochester.
A 911 call was made by one of the area's property owners after discovering unauthorized entry into their vehicle and residence, with several items reported missing.
During the course of their investigation into the theft, authorities were led to Petrella, a resident of the affected neighborhood.
During the ongoing investigation, Petrella invited the police to enter his trailer, a move that occurred while he was being questioned by an agent, as stated by Fowler.
The agent would have noted several unusual indicators within the house that raised his level of concern.
Petrella was apprehended as law enforcement officials continued their ongoing inquiry.
The body of Hogan was discovered to be lifeless at the scene of his residence during the process of property registration.
A criminal complaint filed with WHAM indicates that Hogan sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
A deceased individual was discovered inside the trailer's bathtub, where he was found wrapped in a plastic shower curtain.
Several frozen objects were discovered in the vicinity of the body, leading authorities to suspect that they were intentionally placed there to conceal the body's presence.
Case documents indicate that police suspect Petrella was involved in a confrontation that resulted in Hogan's death.
Law enforcement officials swiftly secured the crime scene and initiated the process of collecting and preserving evidence.
Petrella was apprehended and subsequently taken into custody at the Monroe County Correctional Facility.
Amy Hogan, a devoted mother of four and grandmother, left behind a legacy of love and family.
The family characterized her as a creative individual, often showcasing her talents through personalized projects for her loved ones.
According to her obituary, being a grandmother brought her the greatest sense of joy and fulfillment in life.
An ongoing investigation is underway, with charges pending against Petrella in connection with her mother's passing.
The defendant has entered a plea of not guilty, and it is now up to the judicial system to determine the outcome of the charges through the standard court proceedings.
