Correction: Donna Guillette
is scheduled to appear for arraignment at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026.
The date of the arraignment was incorrect in an earlier version of this release
and has been updated below.
STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
Vermont State Police issues citation
arising from February death in Corinth
CORINTH, Vermont (Friday, Oct. 23,
2026) — The Vermont State Police has continued to investigate the facts and
circumstances surrounding the Feb. 14, 2026, death of 25-year-old Jeremy
Kawalec in Corinth.
The investigation determined that
Kawalec and Donna Guillette, 24, of Corinth had argued during the night of Feb.
14, 2026. During the argument, Guillette introduced a firearm to the situation
knowing that Kawalec was expressing intentions of self-harm. Guillette placed
the firearm near Kawalec, who picked up the handgun. A short time later, the
firearm discharged, killing Kawalec.
Upon completion of VSP’s
investigation, detectives turned over the case for review by the Orange County
State’s Attorney’s Office. The state’s attorney subsequently directed VSP to
cite Guillette on one misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment related to her
actions the night of Feb. 14.
Troopers located Guillette on
Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, and issued her a citation ordering her to appear for
arraignment at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, in the Criminal Division of
Vermont Superior Court in Chelsea.
No additional details are available
at this time. The affidavit of probable cause will be filed with the criminal
court clerk’s office and made available following Guillette’s arraignment.
Members of the news media should contact the clerk’s office to confirm details
of the hearing.
***Update
No. 1, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026***
An autopsy was completed Tuesday,
Feb. 17, 2026, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. The
Vermont State Police is able to identify the person who died as Jeremy Kawalec, 25, of Corinth.
The
medical examiner determined the cause of Kawalec’s death was “sustained
gunshot wound during an altercation,” and the manner of death is listed as
undetermined. Further investigation by detectives into this incident has
determined that the death is not suspicious.
VSP has no additional information
to share regarding this case.
***Initial
news release, 12:05 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026***
The Vermont State Police is
investigating a suspicious death in the Orange County town of Corinth.
The investigation began at about
11:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, when police received a 911 call reporting a
domestic altercation at a home on Richardson Road. A state trooper responded
and located a man unresponsive inside the residence. Emergency medical services
personnel subsequently pronounced the man deceased on scene. The death is
considered suspicious.
VSP’s preliminary investigation
indicates this incident arose from a dispute involving people who knew each
another. Everyone associated with this matter is accounted for, and there is no
identified danger to the public.
The victim’s body will be brought
to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to
determine cause and manner of death. The state police will release the identity
of the deceased man following further investigation and notification of his
relatives.
This investigation is in its
initial stages and involves members of the Vermont State Police Major Crime
Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Crime Scene Search Team, Field Force
Division and Victim Services Unit.
VSP asks that anyone with
information that could assist investigators call the St. Johnsbury Barracks at
802-748-3111 or submit an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
No additional information is
currently available. The state police will provide updates as the investigation
unfolds.
