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March 26, 2008

Another suitcase murder case?

Posted: 06:34 PM ET

NEW YORK - A case out of the New York-New Jersey area has gotten my attention and it’s something you may want to follow, especially if you watched our network’s coverage last year of the Melanie McGuire case. McGuire was convicted in New Jersey in April of killing her husband, cutting up his torso, and putting the remains in three suitcases, which ultimately washed up on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

Rosario DiGirolamo, 33, has been charged – also in New Jersey - with first-degree murder in the death of his 27-year-old girlfriend, Amy Giordano. Giordano was last heard from June 8, 2007, and the couple’s young son was found abandoned the next day.

Now, nine months after Giordano disappeared, law enforcement divers are fishing human remains out of a pond in nearby Staten Island and yes, those remains were also originally put in a suitcase. But this suitcase had a hole, so the torso is being recovered piece by piece.

It will be some time before DNA tests can tell whether the remains are Giordano. News reports do not say whether the victim’s entire body was recovered, and this could possibly impede a conviction for the prosecution. Take, for instance, the Texas case of Robert Durst, where the victim’s head was missing, which precluded finding a cause of death.

Durst was acquitted of the murder of victim Morris Black because there was reasonable doubt in the mind of the jury that Durst committed the murder.

One puzzle in the Rosario DiGirolamo case is that John Russo, DiGirolamo’s best friend, was charged with tampering with evidence. He is now cooperating with police and led them to the pond and the remains.

What evidence do prosecutors believe Russo tampered with? A murder weapon? Body parts that could help in an identification? And will New York medical examiners confirm the torso is that of Giordano? Stay tuned, this murder case is just beginning.

Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent

Filed under: Uncategorized


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A Mother 2   March 27th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

What is wrong with just walking away? Why do people have to kill?

Jerald Tucker   March 27th, 2008 9:53 pm ET

Thanks for the heads up on this case. I watch your show(s) all the time and appreciate the in depth coverage you provide.

Kuy   March 29th, 2008 10:23 pm ET

I am the mother of a murder victim. Murderers are sneaky liars. If the friend is cooperating with police likely he helped dispose of the body or was told the grusome details. Either way somebody put those body parts into a suitcase and threw it into the water. Some people are just sick sick sick!

Jeanne   March 30th, 2008 9:30 pm ET

I too appreciate the heads up on this case. The in depth coverage all of you did on the Melanie McGuire case was awesome and made it absolutely riveting to watch. Please keep us updated on the progress of this unfolding case and the DNA testing.

Joyce   April 4th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

I agree with Kuy, that the friend, if talking, was most probably involved in some matter. Also , the reference to McGuire case, She was convicted, but did anyone EVER?? hear what the sentencing was? She came from a wealthy family and guess she thought she could just walk.

Stacie   April 7th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

I just looked up Melanie McGuire and found that she was sentenced to life in prison. She will be eligible for parole in 2073. If she lives that long she will be 100 years old before she is eligible for parole.

Tami from Texas   December 27th, 2008 10:51 pm ET

i am divorced mother of 3 and simply can not believe how many people choose to kill to avoid divorce. being divorced does indeed have alot of challenges ahead, but there is never a reason to take away a person that important in your child's mere existance if nothing else!! if they deserve punishment for something they have done to either you or your children... for God's sake let the court do it's job!! taking extreme matters into your own hands only provides one clear and certain future for your children...and that is a life without a parent present at all. because you can't get away with something that awlful forever!!! i am no advocate for divorce, but it is a much better option than these crazy people chose!!!!!

russell dickerson   January 27th, 2009 11:46 am ET

1THE GUN THAT SHE BOUGHT FOR HIM, A HUSBAND SHE CAIIMS WAS ABUSIVE TO HER.I WOULD NEVER BUY A GUN FOR HIM FOR FEAR THAT HE MAY USE IT ON ME.2THE SUITCASES, HOW DID THE SO CALL MOB GET THEM,THEIR SUITCASES.3THE PERSCRITION THAT SHE WROTE.4 THE BAGS THAT MA TCHED THE ONES FOUND IN HER HOUSE.NOW THAT IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBURG.HER FAN CLUB BLAMES BILL FOR ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED IN THEIR MARRIAGE ALL THEY REALLY KNOW IS WHAT THE CONVICT TELLS THEM.HERE IS A WOMEN WHO IS CHEATING ON HER HUSBAND FOR THREE YEARS,HELL SHE DIDNOT CARE AT ALL. .

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