Man Kills Wife, Attacks Daughters over Baby’s Gender

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A New York father fatally stabbed his pregnant wife and then attempted to kill their two young daughters, reportedly driven by anger over not having a son, according to the victim’s father.

Drew Garnier, 33, confessed to repeatedly stabbing his wife, Samantha Garnier, 29, who was five months pregnant, as well as their daughters, Izzie, 6, and Adelina, 9, during a violent attack at their family home in Masonville on September 4 of last year, the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office reported.

Tragically, Samantha and the unborn child did not survive the assault, which occurred just weeks before Samantha’s 30th birthday. The two young girls suffered severe injuries but are currently recovering, authorities said.

Gregory Vernagallo, Samantha’s father, shared a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing, revealing that Drew Garnier’s motive was rooted in frustration that his wife was expecting another girl. “He wanted a boy,” Vernagallo told the court.

Last month, Garnier pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and two counts of first-degree assault, both classified as class B violent felonies. As part of a plea agreement intended to spare the surviving children the trauma of testifying, he was sentenced last week to 30 years in prison, followed by 15 years of post-release supervision.

District Attorney Shawn Smith acknowledged the sentence was lighter than initially sought but emphasized the importance of protecting the children from further emotional harm. “We were able to secure this conviction without forcing two young children to testify about the horrific things they witnessed,” he said.

Additionally, Garnier has been barred from any contact with his daughters until 2056, the maximum duration allowed by law. The only way this restriction could be lifted is if the girls themselves choose to reestablish contact in the future.

“You took a life and injured your children. They had a right to expect protection from you,” Judge John Hubbard stated, explaining the lengthy no-contact order.

Samantha Garnier was due to give birth in February.

Meanwhile, her daughters continue their recovery under the care of their maternal grandfather, who has formally adopted them. “I am their father now,” Vernagallo declared at sentencing. “I will protect them.”


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