Photo by Jason Edwards
Joseph Francis Acquefreda Jr. hugs a family member just before police held a press conference announcing the arrest of a suspect in his daughter’s murder.
ANSONIA — Police Wednesday charged Andrew LeFrancois, 22, of Ansonia, with murder in connection to the Aug. 30 stabbing death of Rosali Violet Acquefreda, 20, of Derby.
“What’s to say? Justice is served,” Rosali’s father, Joseph Francis Acquefreda Jr., said at a press conference announcing the arrest next to Ansonia City Hall.
Rosali Violet Acquefreda, a 20-year-old Derby woman, died Sunday. Her death was ruled a homicide.
LeFrancois is the father of Rosali’s three-year-old son, who sources said was present when LeFrancois allegedly stabbed Rosali several times while the two were riding in a vehicle together in the area of Coe Lane and N. Coe Lane on the Ansonia-Derby border. LeFrancois is additionally charged with risk of injury to a child.
He is currently being held on a $750,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in Superior Court in Milford Thursday morning. Police took LeFrancois into custody at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. A person filmed the arrest in Ansonia and the video was shared on social media.
A still shot from a video showing the suspect being taken into custody in Ansonia.
He was arrested using a warrant, but the document has been sealed. Police did not share information about the investigation during a press conference.
LeFrancois was a suspect from the start, according to Rosali’s family.
They said LeFrancois first met Acquefreda when she was 14. The two dated for years. Her father described the relationship as toxic.
“She was in fear (of) this man, and it’s hard to say that because that was the child’s father,” Joseph Francis Acquefreda Jr. said.
He said it was in Rosali’s nature to give LeFrancois the benefit of the doubt since he was her son’s father.
“And it ended up leading to her death,” he said.
Chris Federici had been dating Acquefreda for five months before she was killed. He said LeFrancois was always inserting himself into her affairs under the guise of wanting to see his son.
They were in a car together Sunday because LeFrancois told her a story about how he was moving out of state, Federici said.
Photo by Jason Edwards
Chris Federici had been dating Acquefreda for five months before she was killed.
“On Sunday, when that whole incident happened, it was ‘I need to see my son for the last time, I’m moving to Georgia. I have a flight Sunday night’,” Federici alleged.
Meanwhile, Rosali was planning to move into a house with her boyfriend and father in Shelton on Sept 1.
“He knew we were moving Tuesday, and he just couldn’t take it,” Federici said.
Photo by Jason Edwards
Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch addresses the media.
Carissa Nelson, a woman who said she is LeFrancois’ mother, posted a statement to the Valley Indy Facebook wall. She asked people not to make threats or call names, and noted her family is horrified by what happened.
“My family and I are deeply devastated by the tragedy of my grandson’s mother Rosali,” Nelson said. “We are traumatized that it is my son who is charged with her murder. We do not condone or support his actions in any way shape or form. We know he deserves consequences for his actions. My family and I did not raise a monster. My family and I are not monsters. We are horrified and shocked over this! If we could go back and change this tragedy we would.”
“My grandson Eli is now left without two parents who loved him very much. And we are truly sorry for the pain and suffering this is causing both families and friends and the community. Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to everyone affected by this. I only stayed silent until my son was formally charged to stay in compliance with law enforcement and for the shock of this all,” she said. “Domestic violence and mental illnesses are horrible situations to have to deal with. May God be there for all involved. And may we all be respectful and civil of everyone’s feelings at this time.”
Initially, Derby police were called to the area of Sunset Drive and Coe Lane at about 4:50 p.m. Sunday for a report of a car accident. The location was actually in Ansonia, on the Derby border. Police thought they had a hit and run on their hands, but realized Rosali’s injuries were from an assault. She died at Griffin Hospital.
Acquefreda may have been driving the vehicle when she was attacked, which could account for people calling police to report an automobile accident. She made her way to a yard, where she was found by police and attended to by EMS.
During Wednesday’s press conference Lt. Patrick Lynch, along with Roasali’s father and her boyfriend, stressed that help is available locally for people who need domestic violence services.
LeFrancois
“The Ansonia Police Department strongly urges anyone who may be in a relationship where domestic violence is occurring to contact their local authorities,” Lynch said. “Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the Valley, The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services can be reached by phone at 203 – 736-9944, 203 – 789-8104 or 1 – 888-774‑2900. Statewide domestic violence assistance can be found at www.CTSafeConnect.org or call/text (888)774‑2900.”
The family thanked Ansonia police for their work. Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti offered his condolences to the Acquefreda family.
Ansonia police thanked Derby police, the state police Central District Major Crimes Unit, and the scientists at the state’s forensic laboratory, an indication forensic evidence from the car Rosalie was traveling in could come into play.
The complete statement from the Ansonia Police Department is available here.
