THE ELDERLY Italian couple who were murdered in their home on Good Friday had been stabbed with a knife and bludgeoned with a hammer, cops revealed today/yest (TUE).
Guiseppe and Caterina Massaro were killed in a ‘sustained and veracious attack’ following a botched burglary at their home in Wolverhampton.
The bodies of the 80-year-old and his 77-year-old wife were discovered by their granddaughter Lindsey Booth in their own bed.
Defensive wounds were found on Mr Massaro’s body, showing signs that he had put up a struggle, police said.
Their terraced house had been ransacked and it is believed the couple – who had two children and seven grandchildren- had been killed up to 24 hours earlier.
Lindsey, 23, and her brother Richard, 22, and their cousin Rosa Carella, 28 made a heartfelt appeal for information during a press conference today/yest (TUE).
They walked into the room holding hands and fighting back tears.
An emotional Lindsey, from Wolverhampton, said: “We cannot even begin to grasp the evil that took place in their house and how frightened they would have been. An entire generation has been taken away from us.
“We cannot even begin to describe the devastation and trauma that this has had on us, knowing that they were hurt at the hands of someone else.
“We are here today after having our beautiful, caring and loving grandparents taken away from us in such a violent and cruel manner.”
She also tragically revealed that her loving grandparents were due to become great-grandparents.
“This summer they were expected to become great-grandparents to twin girls, which is no longer the case,” she added.
Richard Booth told the media moving details about his grandparents, who he described as having ‘hearts of gold’ and had touched many lives.
He said: “My grandfather and grandmother were loved by so many people. They were often described as a charismatic and charming couple.
“The home which brought so much warmth and comfort to use has suddenly been destroyed.
“Caterina made the best home made food, pasta, pizza, lasagne.
“My granddad was an honourable and down to earth man and was always first to buy a round at his local club.
“They had hearts of gold.”
Police were granted a further warrant of detention from Birmingham Magistrates for two suspects. A third man is still being questioned by police. All have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Detective Superintendent Keith Wilson, of West Midlands Police, said Mr Massaro had suffered defensive wounds from the attack.
He added: “Both had died as a result of a sustained and veracious attack involving a knife and hammer.”
The couple’s car, a black Peugeot 307, and two televisions were stolen from their home. The car was discovered on the Friday evening half a mile away.
Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who has been offered a television in suspicious circumstances
The couple moved to the UK from Italy in 1960 and had settled in Wolverhampton.
Tearful Lindsey continued: “Our grandparents came to England in the 1960s to look for a better life. Since being in the country they did nothing but work hard in order to provide for their two daughters.”
Superintendent Mark Payne, of Wolverhampton Police, reassured the public that this was an isolated incident.
“This is a tragic case. I would like to say to the people of Wolverhampton that these incidents are incredibly rare. These type of incidents are isolated and we believe this is a one off.”
