Two women lost to murder: Families recall happy times as Timothy Verrill faces sentencing

DOVER — Michael Pellegrini remembers his late daughter, Jenna, as a young T-ball player who went on to play softball at Dover High School and loved to sail with her grandparents.

"She was a happy kid," he said. "She enjoyed life. She did a lot of traveling with my parents, to places like the Virgin Islands, the Cape and Martha's Vineyard on the sailboat, Jenna Marie. My parents had another sailboat out in the Mediterranean, and she traveled with them to Greece and Italy. My mother is a travel agent and she got great deals on cruises. Jenna went on a lot of cruises."

Jeff Sullivan says when he thinks of his late sister, Christine, he laughs a lot.

"There were bad times, but they do not mean anything now," he said. "I want to remember the Christine I love, and all the great times we had together. I miss her."

Pellegrini was 32 and Sullivan was 48 when they were murdered: bludgeoned and stabbed to death Jan. 27, 2017 at a 969 Meaderboro Road home in Farmington owned by Dean Smoronk, who was Sullivan’s boyfriend.

Timothy Verrill was convicted April 9 of second-degree murder for the killings, as well as five counts of falsifying evidence. He was sentenced, effectively, to life in prison, Friday morning in Strafford County Superior Court.

More: Timothy Verrill sentenced to 'life in prison' for murder of two women

Family members acknowledge the women were involved with drugs and it led to them losing their lives. But they want the community to know there is much more to their stories.

Father says Jenna Pellegrini was 'trying to work her way out' of drug use

Softball and sailing, are passions Jenna grew up with, her dad said. It's hard for him to understand how she ended up in a situation involving drugs that took her life.

"I don't believe she knew Christine or Dean (Smoronk) that well," he said. "She was in trouble then with drugs and she was looking for a place to stay. Her drug use cost Jenna her kids and her house. .... She was trying to work her way out of the drug use. I don't know how she got into it, but I know she was trying to get better."

Michael Pellegrini lives in Massachusetts now. He and his former wife, Amy, raised Jenna in Barrington. Jenna started with T-ball in Barrington, moved into Barrington youth softball teams and played through her high school years in Dover, graduating in 2002.

"After her death, we started the Jenna Pellegrini Memorial Softball Tournament," Michael Pellegrini said. "This year (Aug. 17) will be the eighth year for the tournament. The money we raise is donated to charities that support women who are survivors of domestic violence like Haven and the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic Violence. It's always the third Saturday in August, and sometimes falls on Jenna's birthday, Aug. 18."

She loved the sailing trips, too, with her grandparents and siblings, Josh and Nicole, her dad said.

After her years in school, things changed.

"She went to college for three years and then dropped out over some problems with classes she couldn't get into," he said. "She went into cosmetology and was out on her own. She seemed OK but there were little hints of things being a bit off in hindsight. I am not sure when she got into drugs. The friends she had growing up that I know are not into that at all. She fell into it with the wrong crowd, I guess."

Drug use cost Jenna the ability to raise her two children, according to Michael Pellegrini.

"They are good kids, 12 and 15 now," said Pellegrini. "Her son is into hockey and her daughter, gymnastics."

Pellegrini said he understands the struggle. He said he has been sober for 29 years, and he quit smoking 16 years ago.

"Both times I did it cold turkey," he said. "We tried to help Jenna, but part of me thinks she wanted to do it the way I did, she wanted to do it on her own. I know she was trying. She didn't get the chance to succeed."

Christine Sullivan was loved 'intensely' by her family

"She was a beautiful child," said Susan Sullivan, of her late daughter, Christine. "She was also rambunctious, with a mind of her own. She grew up to be a kind woman who would do anything for anyone, at any time."

Susan and her son Jeff said their lives have been in limbo for seven years, and while they are not completely happy with the outcome of the trial, they feel at least they can begin to heal.

The Sullivan family lives in New Jersey, where Christine grew up.

"Christine was my older sister by four years," Jeff said. "As with any siblings, we butted heads, but we always loved each other intensely."

Susan said her daughter was unable to have kids of her own, so she showered her love and attention on Jeff's son Kyle.

Susan Sullivan and her daughter Christine shared a love of antiques.

"People say she got that from me, but really, I think I got it from her," said Susan. "She was always finding treasures at the curb, bringing them home and restoring them. We loved going to garage sales and for a time we had our own antique store."

Photography was Christine's other passion. Jeff said she loved photography that involved bands, a great addition to her love of music.

"But she used to take pictures of everything, people, landscapes, and family," said Susan. "She also loved gardening and cooking."

Susan talked about the time her daughter met Hillary Clinton.

"It was when she was running for president," said Susan. "She had this Hillary doll, and she got it autographed. She was so proud of that."

Susan Sullivan said Christine was always involved in fundraisers, raising money for people battling cancer, or for Hurricane Sandy relief.

"She was an inspiration," Susan said.

The Sullivan family acknowledges Christine had a problem with drug use. They say her problem led to her involvement with Dean Smoronk.

"Christine grew up fast," said Jeff. "She always seemed to have an older man in her life. She had a dynamic personality and took over any room she entered. She could be a success in whatever she decided to do."

Jeff said his sister has two bouts with drugs.

"In her 20s, she got into it first," he said. "She went to rehab, and she did reset her life. She was clean for a long time."

Jeff said Christine was married and after she got divorced, at 41, she met Smoronk.

"She was working to get away from him," Jeff Sullivan said. "She just didn't get the chance."

Susan said, "I don't know how she got mixed up with the situation that resulted in her death. I wish we could have saved her."

"My mom and I believe her soul has been set free from what was holding her back," said Jeff.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Families recall Jenna Pellegrini, Christine Sullivan, lost to murder