Nan shoots useless autistic granddaughter and different member of the family in homicide suicide
A nan has killed two of her family members in a murder suicide. Police were called to the residence after reports of gunshots were made and found three woman all with gunshot wounds to the head
Janice Picano, 67, shot and killed her 18-year-old granddaughter Angelina Picano
A grandmother has been unmasked as the shooter who killed two of her own family members and then turned the gun on herself.
Janice Picano, 67, shot and killed her own granddaughter Angelina Picano, shooting the teen in the head at her home in South Philadelphia on Monday. Angelina, who lived with autism, celebrated her 18th birthday in January.
The girl appeared to live at the two-bedroom home with her grandmother Picano, her grandfather, Rick, 73, and a fourth family member named Denise Grottini, 55. It is unclear how Grottini, who shares Picano’s maiden name, is related to the family.
The horror occurred at around 5.30pm leading to police to be called to the family home after receiving reports of gunshots inside the residence. Once arriving at the scene officers found Picano, Grottini and Angelina all with gun wounds to the head.
All three women were declared dead eight minutes after police arrived on the scene. The suspected murder weapon was retrieved at the crime scene and the shooting currently remains under investigation.
Investigators have stated they believe Picano shot Angelina and Grottini and then turned the gun on herself. Authorities have not revealed what they believe the motive behind the shooting was. Angelina’s grandparents regularly posted pictures of their granddaughter on social media.
In a post made on Angelina’s 18th birthday Rick wrote: “Angelina is very special young woman in my life, she has overcome more then most adults.”
In a similar birthday post Picano dubbed the girl as her “beautiful granddaughter” on her social media. Picano and Rick were publicly strong advocates for their granddaughter. Just last month Rick penned his frustration that the girl’s high school’s spring dance was cancelled.
He wrote: ”My special needs granddaughter for 1 month has been looking forward to her high school spring dance.”
The grandad added: “My wife and I let her pick out a party dress not cheap either new shoes. and guess what 2 days prior they canceled it only 6 kids signed up, do you know how hard it is to tell your Autistic granddaughter there’s not going to be any dance.”
Picano was regarded as well loved by her own children. Last month in a mother’s day post Picano’s 41-year-old daughter Joy took to social media to share her love for her mother. In the post Joy wrote: “Happy Mother’s Day to my beautiful mommy!”
“I love you more then life itself! Always been my biggest cheerleader and supporter, my rock, my best friend and my everything!!!”
Joy, Angelina’s mother, has not commented on the death of her daughter.
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