Woman, 30, charged in 2014 murder of missing Philadelphia man
Woman charged in 2014 Philly murder case: Everything we know
A 30-year-old woman was arrested this week in connection with the 2014 murder of Vito Maglio, according to the district attorney’s office. The Maglio family says the arrest brings long-awaited justice but also reopens old wounds after nearly 12 years.
PHILADELPHIA - A 30-year-old woman is facing murder charges in the 2014 homicide of a Philadelphia grandfather whose body was found floating in the Schuylkill River.
What we know:
Melanie Morat, 30, was charged with murder, criminal conspiracy, and other charges in the death of 69-year-old Vito Maglio.
The backstory:
Vito Maglio disappeared in December 2014 after visiting a restaurant owned by relatives, according to family members.
His body was found floating in the Schuylkill River near East Falls Bridge. in March 2015, and police say he had been robbed and murdered, with his burned car left on a Philadelphia street.
Investigators say Maglio was shot multiple times in the head and his death was ruled a homicide.
No arrests were made in the case for more than a decade, until Morat was recently charged.
Police say the case had gone cold but was revived with cell phone tracking technology and records.
Family receives long-awaited update in Maglio murder case
What they're saying:
The Maglio family says the arrest brings long-awaited justice but also reopens old wounds after nearly 12 years.
Mrs. Maglio told FOX 29, "I’m still so sad."
The Maglio family issued a statement saying, "After almost 12 long years, we are finally going to see justice for a husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. It was abruptly taken from our lives.."
The family shared that while the arrest is bittersweet, they are grateful the case was not forgotten. "While it’s a bittersweet moment for our family, we are so grateful that his case wasn’t forgotten and the detectives took the initiative did their due diligence and they are finally bringing us some closure," the family said.
Mrs. Maglio said she misses her husband and wishes he could have seen his six grandchildren growing up.
Police say two other people were suspects in the case, but one of them is dead.
The Maglio family’s search for answers stretched from December 2014, when Vito Maglio disappeared, through March 2015, when his body was found, and continued for nearly 12 years until this week’s arrest.
The family’s statement and Mrs. Maglio’s words reflect the emotional toll the case has taken, even as they welcome the news of an arrest.
The district attorney’s office announced the arrest this week, but the case has not yet gone to trial.
Mrs. Maglio said she does not know if she could face the suspect or suspects in a courtroom, as the wounds of grief remain deep.
The family says they are relieved to see progress in the case, but the process of healing continues.
What we don't know:
It's unknown exactly how Morat is connected to the homicide.
Police have not said if there are potentially more suspects in Maglio's murder.