“Tragic Murder in Coral Gables: Sylvia ‘Maggie’ Locascio Found Dead in Violent Family Feud | Oxygen’s Fatal Family Feuds”

Accident – death – Obituary News : On October 30, 2001, a quiet and affluent neighborhood in Coral Gables, Florida, was shaken by a horrifying incident. Responding to a home burglary alarm around 9:30 p.m., officers were met with a scene straight out of a horror movie. Blood was splattered everywhere, leaving the police in shock and disbelief. Sergeant Gordon Dickenson of the Coral Gables Police described it as a violent and gruesome sight. This chilling incident is the focus of the gripping true crime series, Fatal Family Feuds, which airs on Oxygen every Saturday at 9/8c and is also available for streaming on Peacock.

The house where the heinous crime took place belonged to Edward Locascio, a prominent figure in the community. The victim was identified as his wife, Sylvia “Maggie” Locascio, aged 45. The couple had been married for many years and had a 19-year-old son named Edward Jr. The investigation into this shocking crime revealed a troubled marriage and a family torn apart by internal conflicts.

Maggie and Edward met in 1972 while studying at the University of Miami. After graduating, they pursued careers as accountants and enjoyed a relatively stable life. However, as time went on, their marriage began to strain. In June 2000, Maggie discovered Edward’s affair with another woman and decided to file for divorce. The couple’s relationship deteriorated further, leading to their physical separation. At the time of Maggie’s death, Edward was living in a condominium in Miami Beach, and their divorce was on the verge of being finalized.

When the police arrived at the crime scene, they found a steel telescoping baton near Maggie’s lifeless body. This discovery raised questions about the motive behind the crime. Was it a botched burglary attempt? An officer reported seeing a small white truck making a suspicious U-turn near the crime scene, adding weight to this theory.

As investigators delved deeper into the case, they questioned Edward and Edward Jr. separately. Edward remained emotionless and claimed to have been playing golf all day before returning home. He denied knowing anyone with a white truck and even suggested that his son may have been involved in framing him. Edward Jr., on the other hand, believed his father was responsible for his mother’s murder. He revealed a history of verbal and mental abuse, which made him convinced of his father’s guilt.

An autopsy conducted the following day revealed the horrifying extent of Maggie’s injuries. She had been strangled, stabbed, and beaten with the telescoping baton. The autopsy report indicated that this was a crime of rage, with the killer stomping on her body. The brutality of the crime shocked investigators, leading them to search for answers and justice.

The investigation took a significant turn when a witness reported a suspicious white truck in the area where the U-turn was made. This tip led the police to discover a gym bag containing Maggie’s ID cards, a sheath for the telescoping baton, bloody latex gloves, a knife, and men’s clothing. The evidence was sent to the crime lab for analysis, and it pointed towards Edward’s brother, Michael Locascio.

Michael, known as the black sheep of the family, had a history of minor crimes and arrests for extortion. Detectives discovered that he had made multiple visits to Miami in the weeks leading up to the murder. Edward’s office manager, Gudelay Gonzalez, provided crucial information about a conversation she overheard between Edward and Michael. According to Gonzalez, Edward had mentioned that his brother was capable of getting rid of Maggie for him. This revelation led to Michael being swabbed for DNA, and the results matched the evidence found in the gym bag.

Charges were brought against Michael for Maggie’s murder based on the DNA evidence. However, Maggie’s family believed that Edward was the mastermind behind the crime and urged the police to dig deeper. The investigation uncovered a motive – Maggie suspected Edward of hiding money in offshore accounts to prevent her from receiving her fair share in the divorce settlement. The couple’s assets were frozen, and Maggie had a scheduled deposition to discuss Edward’s finances on October 31, the day after her murder.

Detectives struggled to connect the dots and gather enough evidence to prove Edward’s involvement. Phone records revealed a surge in communication between Edward and Michael in the days leading up to the murder, which raised suspicions. However, it wasn’t until Edward’s new girlfriend reported a chilling statement made during an argument that the pieces started falling into place. Edward allegedly told her, “You’re gonna end up just like my wife.” This statement, along with the water bottle found in the gym bag with a school logo on it, provided the much-needed evidence to link Edward to the crime.

On October 21, 2005, Edward Locascio was arrested for Maggie’s murder. In February 2006, Michael’s trial began, and he was found guilty, receiving a life sentence. Edward’s trial followed in February 2007, where his son and Gonzalez testified against him. Edward was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died behind bars in 2018.

The tragic story of the Locascio family serves as a chilling reminder of the depths of human darkness and the devastating consequences of family feuds gone wrong. To dive deeper into this gripping case, don’t miss Fatal Family Feuds, airing Saturdays at 9/8c on Oxygen..