An unimaginable tragedy unfolded in Masonville, upstate New York, when Drew Garnier, 33, fatally stabbed his pregnant wife, Samantha Garnier, 29, and attempted to kill their two young daughters, Izzie, 6, and Adelina, 9. The motive behind this heinous act was revealed by Samantha’s father, Gregory Vernagallo, who stated that Garnier committed the brutal murders out of anger over not having a son.
The horrific incident took place on September 4th last year, resulting in the death of Samantha Garnier and their unborn child. The two young girls suffered significant injuries but survived the attack. Drew Garnier, in a shocking admission, confessed to repeatedly stabbing his family members in a fit of rage.
Vernagallo shared in a victim impact statement during sentencing that Garnier’s actions were driven by his desire for a son. Despite being pregnant with their third child, Samantha was carrying another girl, which allegedly triggered Garnier’s violent outburst.
Following his guilty plea to charges of first-degree manslaughter and two counts of first-degree assault, Garnier was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with an additional 15 years of post-release supervision. The plea deal was reached to spare the surviving daughters from the trauma of a trial.
District Attorney Shawn Smith expressed relief in securing a conviction without subjecting the children to testify about the harrowing events they witnessed. Despite the lighter sentence, the judge imposed a strict no-contact order on Garnier until 2056, ensuring that he cannot see his daughters unless they choose to override the restriction in the future.
Samantha Garnier, who was five months pregnant at the time of her death, was due to give birth in February. Her daughters, who are still recovering from their injuries, have been adopted by their maternal grandfather, Gregory Vernagallo. During sentencing, Vernagallo asserted his commitment to protecting and caring for the girls, stating, “I am their father now. I will protect them.”
The community continues to mourn the loss of Samantha Garnier and her unborn child while rallying around the two young girls as they heal from the physical and emotional scars of the tragic event. The devastating impact of domestic violence serves as a stark reminder of the importance of supporting victims and preventing such senseless acts of violence in the future.
