New York Man Accused of Killing His Mother and Hiding Her Body in a Bathtub

A routine burglary investigation in a quiet New York neighborhood took a disturbing turn when deputies entered a mobile home and allegedly discovered the body of a 60-year-old woman hidden inside a bathtub.

Joseph Petrella, 39, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his mother, Amy Hogan, after authorities said she was stabbed multiple times during a confrontation at the Penfield residence.

Petrella is also facing charges related to burglary and theft. He pleaded not guilty during a court appearance Wednesday, according to local reports.

A Burglary Call Leads to a Much Darker Discovery

The case began on Sept. 13, when Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a home on Ewald Drive in Penfield following a report of a burglary.

A neighbor had reported that someone had entered a vehicle and a home and that items were missing. Deputies arrived expecting to investigate a property crime.

During the investigation, however, officers were directed toward Petrella, who lived in the area and occasionally stayed with his mother.

According to Monroe County Chief Deputy Michael Fowler, Petrella spoke with investigators and eventually invited a deputy inside his mobile home.

Once inside, the deputy noticed what authorities described as unusual signs that raised concerns. Petrella was detained while deputies continued investigating.

What they discovered inside the residence changed the nature of the investigation completely.

Woman Found Hidden in the Bathtub

Deputies discovered Hogan’s body inside the bathtub.

According to the criminal complaint, Hogan had suffered multiple stab wounds. Her body had been wrapped in a plastic shower curtain and surrounded by several frozen items.

Investigators said the arrangement appeared to be an attempt to conceal the body.

Authorities believe Hogan was killed during a confrontation with her son sometime before deputies arrived at the home.

The discovery shocked the surrounding community, where Hogan was known as a mother and grandmother. Her obituary described her as a creative person who especially enjoyed creating things for her family.

But above all, it said, being a grandmother brought her the greatest joy.

Investigators Say the Evidence Pointed to Her Son

As detectives reconstructed what happened, authorities focused on Petrella’s relationship with Hogan and his presence at the residence.

Police allege that Petrella stabbed his mother during a confrontation and then attempted to conceal her body.

The circumstances surrounding the confrontation, including what led to the fatal encounter, remain part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities have not publicly released every detail of what happened inside the home, and Petrella’s defense will have an opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s evidence as the case moves through court.

The fact that the body was discovered during an investigation that initially began as a burglary also added another disturbing layer to the case.

Deputies were not originally responding to a reported homicide. Instead, it was an unrelated report of missing property that ultimately led investigators to uncover what authorities believe was a much more serious crime.

Mother Remembered as a Loving Grandmother

For Hogan’s family, the investigation has brought an unimaginable loss.

She leaves behind three daughters as well as her son, according to her obituary, and was a grandmother who took great pride in her family.

Her obituary described her creativity and the importance of family in her life, portraying a woman whose greatest happiness came from being a grandmother.

Now, the focus shifts to the criminal case against Petrella.

He remains accused of killing his mother and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. He is being held in the Monroe County Jail and is expected to return to court on Dec. 4.

What began as a seemingly ordinary burglary investigation ultimately exposed a deeply disturbing scene inside a nearby home — and left a family grieving the loss of a mother and grandmother.

Source: Law&Crime, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, WROC, WHAM and court documents.