Lauren Almeida: Nanny reveals Fotis Dulos' aggressive demeanor towards wife Jennifer before alleged murder

NEW CANAAN, UNITED STATES: Lauren Almeida who was employed as a nanny by the ill-fated couple Jennifer Farber Dulos and Fotis Dulos has revealed during a testimony that Fotis showed a consistent pattern of aggression towards his wife after his affair with Michelle Troconis was exposed. 

Jennifer, a mother of five, disappeared from her residence in May 2019. It was later revealed that she and her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, were engaged in a custody dispute.

Fotis Dulos took his own life after Connecticut prosecutors charged him with the murder of his estranged wife at her New Canaan home on May 24, 2019, and successfully concealed her body, Law&Crime reports. 

After his death, Dulos' girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, is facing trial for allegedly aiding him in planning and concealing the murder. 

Dulos' friend is also facing a pending case for conspiracy to commit murder. Almeida's testimony has brought to light several details surrounding Jennifer's murder.

What did Lauren Almeida say during her testimony?

Almeida's testimony, which commenced on Tuesday, January 16, revealed into the escalating tension between the couple. 

The friction reached a peak in the spring of 2017 when Jennifer Dulos discovered that Fotis Dulos had been unfaithful to Troconis.

In which Fotis Dulos pursued Jennifer Dulos to a room in their home. Jennifer reportedly pressed her body against the door to prevent him from entering.

Allegedly, Fotis displayed a calmer demeanor upon realizing that the nanny, Almeida, and one of the couple's children were present.

Almeida noted that Fotis's tone shifted from yelling to being "very soft-spoken." According to Almeida's testimony, Fotis said, "Jennifer, I just want to talk."

In a statement, Michelle Troconis, the girlfriend of Fotis Dulos, asserted,  "Whether or not Fotis Dulos was capable of doing the things the police and prosecutors accused him of doing, I do not know,"

She further commented, "But based on what I have learned in the last year, I think it was a mistake to have trusted him.”

According to Almeida's account, Jennifer confronted Fotis, stating, "He is having an affair, and I have proof." The evidence included emails and receipts revealing a trip to Utah taken by Fotis Dulos and Troconis.

Describing Jennifer as soft-spoken, Almeida further disclosed that Jennifer initially planned to inquire about the affair but later revealed that Fotis had confessed.

According to the testimony, Jennifer initially aimed to handle the situation civilly for the sake of their five children. However, her plans shifted. 

Almeida, employed by Fotis' company Fore Group, decided to support Jennifer and the children when they moved out of Fotis' Farmington mansion. 

Almeida explained, "She was my friend, and I trusted her, and I wanted to trust her." The nanny submitted her notice to Fore Group, indicating her departure at the end of May 2017.

Lauren Almeida’s testimony reveals ‘tense living situation’ of Jennifer Dulos

Almeida provided testimony about a tense living situation, citing an instance where Fotis Dulos chased Jennifer Dulos with a piece of paper, with Fotis appearing "angry" and Jennifer looking "scared and worried." 

Fotis also allegedly threatened to take their five children to his birth country of Greece and never return.

Almeida described being in the estranged couple's presence as "tense and uncomfortable." 

According to her testimony, Jennifer had become afraid, experiencing heightened anxiety, weight loss, and frequent expressions of fear.

Jennifer Dulos planned a secret move to New York 

With Almeida's assistance, Jennifer planned a discreet move to avoid Fotis's notice, fearing potential harm to her and the children if she filed for divorce while still living with Fotis. 

The move was finalized on June 19, 2017, with Jennifer telling Fotis they were visiting her father's grave in New York, while they actually went to a hotel. There, Jennifer hired an armed bodyguard to stand guard outside the room.

Fotis Dulos accused Lauren Almeida of kidnapping his children over financial motives

As Fotis came to know of Jennifer's absence, in the evening Fotis left voicemails accusing Almeida of kidnapping the kids, eventually leading to a family case between Jennifer and Fotis.

Almeida testified on Jennifer's behalf in that matter.

After the separation, Almeida initially allowed the children to visit Fotis's home, but a hostile encounter on September 20, 2017, where Fotis accused her of kidnapping the children and claimed financial motives, led her to decide she never wanted to be around him again.

As the events leading to Jennifer Dulos' May 24, 2019, disappearance unfolded, Fotis had routine visitation with the children on Wednesdays. 

Lauren Almeida called the police after Jennifer Dulos vanished 

Almeida noted an unusually early arrival on May 22, 2019, and on the day of the disappearance, she found Jennifer's routine items left behind and noticed peculiarities in the pantry. 

Alarmed by Jennifer's absence and unresponsiveness, Almeida and a friend of Jennifer's contacted New Canaan police.