IRASBURG, Vt. (WCAX) – Why’d he do it? That’s a question friends and family continue to ask in a 2022 Morrisville murder case.
Seth Brunell, 45, is charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing of 29-year-old Fern Feather, whose birthname was Zachary. Brunell told police he’d been released from a mental health ward and friends say Feather spotted him walking barefoot and gave him a ride. A couple of days later, police say, Brunell used a 12-inch knife to kill Feather. He claims Feather made sexual advances toward him. Police found no evidence that Brunell was attacked, as he claims. Investigators looked into whether the murder was linked to Feather’s gender identity.
Fern Feather grew up in the Northeast Kingdom, where in Irasburg, a grieving family created an oasis to remember a life cut short.
Lisa Barbeau can’t count the number of times she’s read a Mother’s Day message from her son, Zach. “‘You’re my best friend and the one person who understands me the most,’” Barneau said, reading from a 2009 letter. ‘”If you ever feel down, re-read this letter.’”
But the words in the latter matter more every passing day. Nearly 13 years after it was written — in April 2022– Zach was stabbed to death in Morrisville. The murder shattered the family and left state leaders, including the governor, condemning the violence. That’s because outside of home, Zach went by the name Fern Feather and used all pronouns. “He was my best friend,” Barbeau said.
Fern’s alleged killer, Seth Brunell, claims self-defense, but police don’t buy it, and neither do Fern’s friends and family. They’re also getting frustrated with how long it’s taking for justice. “I don’t know what to make of all this. I don’t know why this happened,” said Arantha Farrow, Fern’s friend. “It’s been so hard and my heart was broken.”
But friends and family will have to wait another five to six months for Brunell to go on trial for murder. Lamoille County State’s Attorney Aliena Gerhard just got more evidence from state police — though she can’t say what it is — and the defense has asked for a delay in the trial, in part, because they have a new expert witness in the case. Gerhard says they are currently looking at a trial start date of October or November. And Gerhard says an additional hate crime charge — which comes with greater penalties — is unlikely because there just wasn’t enough evidence.
As friends and family wait, a memorial — near the murder site grows. J.F. Barbeau, Fern’s father, says they’d been preparing for a July trial date and getting ready emotionally to face the man accused of killing Fern. “It’s an emotional roller coaster,” he said. “Tell your people you love them. Appreciate the moments with them because you never know.”
In their garden in Irasburg, the Barbeaus hold on to memories of planting and the greenhouse business Fern was just about to open. “Every spring, he’d come and he and I would take care of it,” J.F. said. “That was his dream. He always wanted a greenhouse and he was almost there and ready to do it.”
Now, they can only remember who Fern was — a youth counselor, world traveler, lover of animals and the outdoors, and of people. “He loved easily,” Lisa said.
“And he loved hard,” added J.F.
No matter when the court date, the family says it will still just be a small sense of closure. “It’s not going to stop the hurt, the wanting him to be here. It’s not going to stop ruining every holiday. It’s not going to stop anything,” Lisa said.
Instead, they hold close to the words Fern lived by and want others to as well.