What Happened: Police say 23-year-old Daniele Grovola was stabbed to death at her Upper Darby Township home on Dec. 23. Her father returned from work to find her unresponsive and his wife, Diane, holding a knife.
Allegations and Arrest: The complaint alleges Diane confessed to her husband, attempted suicide, and later told officers, "Sorry, I should have stabbed myself first." Diane has been charged with multiple homicide counts and an animal-cruelty charge and is held without bail.
A Pennsylvania family was shaken after a father arrived home on the morning of Dec. 23 to find his 23-year-old daughter fatally wounded and his wife holding a knife, according to a criminal complaint and police reports.
Upper Darby Township police say Daniele Grovola was stabbed to death at the family residence. Her father, identified in court papers as John, told investigators he left work around or before 5:30 a.m., picked up breakfast, and returned home to a distressing scene. The family dog got blood on his clothing, and John's 57-year-old wife, Diane Grovola, was seated on the living-room sofa holding a knife.
According to the criminal complaint, Diane allegedly told her husband that she had harmed the pet and then made a direct confession:
"I stabbed our daughter."John then entered his daughter's bedroom and found Daniele lying on her back, eyes open and unresponsive.
John called 911 at 6:38 a.m. and left the home after the operator advised him to do so. Officers arriving at the residence found Diane naked, covered in blood and resisting commands. Police reported she had lacerations later determined to be self-inflicted. According to the complaint, she had attempted to stab herself in the chest, threw the knife to the floor, and smashed items in the kitchen prior to officers taking her into custody.
The complaint quotes Diane as telling officers,
"Sorry, I should have stabbed myself first."
Daniele was discovered with multiple lacerations to her face, chest, legs and back and was pronounced dead at 7:07 a.m., the complaint states. Local reporting indicates she was already deceased when her father returned home.
Diane Grovola was charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, criminal homicide and possession of an instrument of crime, and is being held without bail. She also faces an aggravated cruelty-to-animals charge related to the family dog, which reportedly received veterinary care following the incident.
Details about the case were reported by PEOPLE, ABC 6 Action News, and the Delaware County Daily Times and are reflected in the criminal complaint obtained by authorities. The Upper Darby Township Police Department first posted about the incident on social media the morning it occurred.
Note: This account is based on initial police reports and a criminal complaint. Investigations and legal proceedings may produce additional information or updates.
