NY dad killed pregnant wife, attacked daughters as ‘wanted a boy’
An upstate New York man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the brutal murder of his pregnant wife and the attempted murder of his two young daughters. Drew Garnier, 33, admitted to stabbing his five-months-pregnant wife, Samantha Garnier, 29, and their children, Izzie, 6, and Adelina, 9, in a horrific attack at their home in Masonville.
The motive behind the heinous crime was revealed by Samantha’s father, Gregory Vernagallo, who stated that Garnier was angry that his wife was pregnant with another girl. He wanted a son and lashed out in a fit of rage, causing the death of Samantha and their unborn child, as well as inflicting significant injuries on the young girls.
Garnier pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and two counts of first-degree assault, receiving a 30-year prison sentence with 15 years of post-release supervision. The plea deal was made to spare the surviving daughters from the trauma of a trial.
Despite the sentencing, District Attorney Shawn Smith expressed disappointment that the punishment was not more severe, but emphasized the importance of protecting the children from having to testify. The killer dad has been banned from contacting his daughters until 2056, with only the girls having the power to override the order in the future.
Samantha Garnier, who was due to give birth in February, tragically lost her life in the attack. Her daughters are now under the care of their maternal grandfather, who has vowed to protect them as their father.
The community has rallied around the family, offering support and donations to help them through this difficult time. The daughters, Izzie and Adelina, are still recovering from their injuries but are now in a safe and loving environment with their grandfather.
The senseless and heartbreaking nature of this crime serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing issues of domestic violence and ensuring the safety and well-being of all family members. The memory of Samantha Garnier lives on through her children, who are being cared for and loved by their extended family.
