Twin Brother of Murderer Sean Dugas Case Released After 11 Years in Prison

Twin Brother of Murderer Sean Dugas Case Released After 11 Years in Prison

In a development that has jolted the Pensacola community, Christopher Cormier has been released from Florida prison on August 13, 2025, after serving over 11 years of a 15-year sentence. He was convicted as an accessory after the fact for his role in the heinous murder of Sean Dugas, a beloved former reporter for the Pensacola News Journal who was killed by his twin brother, William Cormier III. This case, marked by betrayal and greed, has left many asking questions about justice and accountability in our system.

The murder occurred on August 27, 2012, when William bludgeoned Dugas to death with a hammer. Dugas, who was just 36 years old at the time, was reported missing by his father on September 13. What followed was a chilling cover-up orchestrated by the Cormier brothers, who disposed of Dugas’ body in a plastic storage bin filled with concrete. They buried it in their father’s backyard, claiming it was a dead dog. Authorities unearthed the remains on October 8, 2012, bringing a grim conclusion to Dugas’ disappearance.

The Aftermath

Dugas’ tragic death was compounded by the brothers stripping his home of belongings and selling them for at least $20,000. William was sentenced to life imprisonment and currently resides at Madison Correctional Institute, where he has attempted to appeal his conviction, arguing that he was not the mastermind behind the murder and that witnesses lied during the trial.

During the 2014 trial, the prosecution hinted at greed as a motive for the murder, though it was not explicitly addressed. Dugas‘ family has expressed disappointment over Christopher Cormier’s sentence, wishing for the maximum penalty. In a moment of remorse, Christopher stated he would have intervened had he been able to stop the crime and accepted responsibility for concealing what happened. “There’s something to be said for it,” a family member remarked. “But it hardly feels like enough.”

A Broader Context of Violence

Interestingly, as we dissect this case, it coincides with a broader surge in violent crime across the United States. A report from Pew Research indicates that the U.S. murder rate saw a staggering 30% jump from 2019 to 2020—the largest single-year increase in over a century. With 21,570 reported murders in 2020 alone, we find ourselves grappling with the reality of a disturbing trend in violence. Many believe these rising numbers stem from a combination of factors, including the pandemic and strained police-community relations.

Among those escalating crimes, domestic violence remains a particularly alarming threat. Research shows that strangulation is a significant predictor of future homicide. According to DomesticShelters.org, those who experience even one non-fatal strangulation are over 600% more likely to be killed by their partner later. It’s a grim reality that the warning signs of intimate partner violence often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

With escalating concerns about public safety, a recent survey revealed that 61% of U.S. adults consider violent crime a major issue, reflecting a dramatic rise in public anxiety. This spike in concerns contrasts starkly with support for increasing local police funding, which has surged from 31% in June 2020 to 47% in September 2021. Such sentiments underscore the urgent need for effective responses to address rising crime rates.

As Christopher Cormier steps back into society, the questions linger: What does justice look like for the victims and their families? How do we confront the roots of violence and betrayal that have become all too common in our communities?