A Groveland man has been indicted for the murder of his elderly wife, who was found bludgeoned to death with a hammer earlier this week.
State Attorney Bill Gladson on Friday announced the grand jury indictment of 82-year-old Vincent Di Fraia. The jury convened to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to charge Di Fraia for the death of his wife, 84-year-old Evelyn Di Fraia. The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment for premeditated murder in the first degree.
The investigation began on Sunday morning, when officers were called to conduct a well-being check at the couple’s home in Groveland. They walked into the residence to find Di Fraia sitting on the couch with what looked like blood covering his shirt and the couch. He had made attempts to cut his wrists with a knife before officers got there and was subsequently taken to Orlando Health South Lake Hospital in Clermont for his injuries.
Di Fraia’s wife was discovered lying on the bed in the back bedroom with a hammer beside her. Blood had splattered on the bed, as well as the surrounding walls and ceiling. Crime Scene Investigators and the Medical Examiner’s Office determined she had been dead for over 24 hours, and they observed a large impact wound on the right side of her head.
Another married couple who requested the well-being check later advised that Di Fraia’s wife had previously discussed a possible suicide pact involving the use of pills about a month ago.
Di Fraia was arrested at the hospital and booked at Lake County Jail. He remains in custody on a no-bond status.
The State Attorney’s Office said it “understands the challenges involved in prosecuting an elderly partner homicide case and assures the community that they will work hard to achieve a just resolution.” Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Camuccio is prosecuting the case.
The decision to file charges emphasizes the severity of the alleged offense and recognizes the significant impact the alleged crime has had on the victim and their families, the prosecutor’s office said.