Suvechha Sarkar
Francis Nicolosi, lovingly known as Nicky, was a dutiful father and a reliable friend. However, the beautiful life of the 75-year-old came to an abrupt halt when he was found dead in an apple orchard near his home in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Once the investigation began, the case soon unraveled into a string of suspicion, heartbreak, and unanswered questions. Investigation Discovery’s ‘Fatal Vows: The Bad Apple’ sheds light on the heartbreaking case and the evidence that brought the killer to light. The episode further features interviews with Nicky’s son, friend, and the officials who worked tirelessly to solve the case.
Francis Nicolosi Was Found Dead From Gunshot Wounds in an Apple Orchard
Francis Nicolosi, affectionately known as Nicky, was born sometime in 1926. The New Jersey native grew up in a loving household, filled with laughter and joy. Public reports provide very little information about his early life. His loved ones often described him as an extroverted person. Nicky was also known for always bringing out the best in people. From an early age, he enjoyed farming, fishing trips, and hunting in the forest. In adulthood, Nicky got married and welcomed his four children into the world, including his son, Francis Nicolosi Jr. According to Francis Jr., his father never missed an opportunity to spend meaningful time with his family. Unfortunately, due to certain problems, Nicky eventually parted ways with his wife. Nicky was a man of faith, which often led him to attend church and its functions.
Shortly after Nicky retired, he met a widow, Eleanor “Ellie” Samero Asroff, during a Catholic function. She had been married twice previously, which brought her children, Deborah, Kenneth, Cheryl, and David Asroff, into her life. Nicky and Ellie’s brief encounter soon deepened into a close relationship, and by the spring of 1995, he proposed to her. They tied the knot in the fall of 1995 and then moved to Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, where they settled in Paradise Township. Things appeared to be going well until Ellie reported Nicky missing on September 5, 2001. She reportedly claimed that Nicky hadn’t returned home on September 4. Reports state that the following morning, she called several hospitals and a club he was associated with to ask about his whereabouts, but found no information.
According to court records, Ellie claimed that she was unable to go up to the orchard on her property due to her medical limitations. When authorities reached the orchard located around 150 yards from Nicky and Ellie’s home, they found Nicky dead from multiple gunshot wounds. His remains were wrapped in three pieces of powder blue carpet, and his truck was discovered only about 40 yards from his location. When they found his truck and $373 in cash untouched, it excluded the possibility of robbery. They noted that the truck’s keys were missing and found no shell casings, indicating the use of a revolver. The autopsy revealed that Nicky was shot four times in the stomach and back, likely with a .38 caliber firearm. The case was ruled a homicide after the autopsy was conducted on September 6, 2001.
Eleanor Nicolosi Was Arrested Based on Circumstantial Evidence and Witness Statements
When officials first spoke with Ellie after she reported Nicky missing, she claimed that on September 4, 2001, they had gone to pick apples. In her statements, she claimed she forgot the apples at the orchard, and Nicky returned to fetch them after dropping her off at home. Reports state that she told officials she was unable to check the orchard since she couldn’t walk without a cane or a walker due to her bone problems. After authorities found Nicky’s remains, they searched his home, where they uncovered journals written by Ellie, letters between her and her husband, and several recordings of fights between her and Nicky. According to investigative reports, detectives soon discovered that after less than a year of their marriage, Nicky had obtained a protection-from-abuse (PFA) order against Ellie.
Investigative reports indicate that Ellie had control over Nicky’s assets. Further witnesses told officials that Nicky and Ellie’s relationship was strained because Ellie grew suspicious of her husband due to his outgoing behavior, as per reports. According to another witness, Ellie had allegedly threatened to kill Nicky if she ever found her husband being unfaithful. Investigators reportedly learned that Nicky had told his friends that he was afraid of what his wife could do to him. His friend, Bob Campbell, revealed that Nicky refused to eat some food in fear of what Ellie might have mixed in it and had written a formal letter asking Bob to investigate Nicky’s death if he was killed. Another incident from the early 1990s came to light involving a woman, Joan Kelly, who reportedly had a relationship with Ellie’s second husband, Stanley Asroff.
According to court records, Joan informed the authorities that during an instance, Ellie had forced her into a vehicle and made her drive at gunpoint. In her statements, Joan recalled that when she and Ellie finally met Ellie’s son during the drive, he took the gun from his mother and dropped Joan off at home. The officials then discovered from multiple witnesses that Ellie was not seen using any cane or walker prior to the murder, contradicting her claim that she didn’t check the orchard because of her limitations. On September 24, 2001, one of Ellie’s acquaintances alerted the police that Ellie acted suspiciously around a dumpster in Mount Pocono. Upon searching the area, forensic experts uncovered several .38 caliber bullets. Ultimately, Ellie was arrested in March 2004 and charged with homicide, tampering with evidence, and aggravated assault.
Eleanor Nicolosi Died at the Age of 85 While Serving Her Sentence
Ellie’s jury trial began sometime in February 2005, during which the prosecution presented multiple pieces of circumstantial evidence. They also introduced witness testimonies from Nicky’s friends, his and Ellie’s acquaintances, and Joan. The prosecution argued that Ellie shot her husband in the apple orchard before concealing his remains under carpets. They pointed out instances in which she confronted several women who had interacted with Nicky. Furthermore, the prosecution reportedly presented evidence that Ellie had a .38-caliber detective’s special revolver, which was originally registered under the name of Stanley. On the other hand, the defense claimed that there was no direct forensic evidence that tied Ellie to the murder. Court records state that the defense suggested alternative suspects.
The defense claimed that one of Nicky’s former friends or a hunter might have killed him during a confrontation. Ultimately, Ellie was convicted of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence and was sentenced to life in prison on February 10, 2005. Following her conviction, she appealed her judgment. The Pennsylvania Superior Court overturned her conviction on the grounds that her court proceedings included inadmissible testimony and granted her a new trial. Ellie’s second jury trial began in December 2010. She was found guilty of first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and aggravated assault on December 13, 2010. On February 14, 2011, she was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Ellie passed away from a heart attack while serving her sentence on January 30, 2021, at the age of 85.
Read More: Yingying Zhang Murder: Where is Brendt Christensen Now?
