Wayne, 70, and Winfred Moniz,73, were planning a party for this weekend. It was to be a celebration of the graduation of three of their 14 grandchildren. Some have said there would likely have been a toast made to her daughter, for the opening of her hair salon and spa. However the family will now be gathering for a different reason.
The couple had been married for 47 years, they had 6 children and 14 grandchildren and one great grandchild they hadn't had a chance to meet yet. It is said to be a close family, and the couple were reportedly very generous with gifts and cash to their family members.
The couple lived next door to Wayne's widowed sister-in-law, Josephine Moniz, 87. She was not only a sister-in-law, and neighbor but the family says the two women were also close friends. Josephine was no longer able to stay by herself, so her granddaughter 40 year old Robin Casali, and Robin's daughter 21 year old Nicole moved in to care for her. Casali was also a car saleswoman. It has been reported that the Moniz's often included Robin and her daughter in their generosity.
The family has said that Robin Casali has shied away from family gatherings lately and "did her own thing". But that when she needed money, she turned to her great-aunt. The family had reportedly speculated that she might be involved in drugs, as she had lost weight and became "distant".
Reportedly Wayne Moniz was mowing his lawn Monday. And when he came back into the home, he found his wife on the floor. She had been stabbed multiple times, and it is said she put up a struggle, as she appeared to have defensive wounds.
Police have arrested Robin Casali in the murder of her great aunt. They reportedly believe that she broke into the home, and that robbery was the motive. Police say there was money missing from the home. Drugs, marijuana and heroin, were also allegedly found in Casali's home. Robin Casali has been charged with murder, breaking and entering in the daytime, possession of heroin and possession of marijuana. Police state they believe that the robbery was planned and that Casali acted alone. The murder weapon has been located, but police are not saying where it was found other than near the home. The evidence is still being tested. It is alleged that Josephine's distinctive car had been seen parked near the couple's home on Monday, and that the car was later found at Casali's home, along with the drugs.
Casali's attorney says that she is innocent and that Casali has an alibi. He says she was taking her grandmother to a clinic for poison ivy and then later to a phamacy on Monday. The attorney also has stated that his client didn't have a criminal record, other than a bad check charge, years ago. But at least one article alleges that Casali has been arrested at least twice before, once in 1998 and 2001, both times for stealing.
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=142657
http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/relativecharged8.htm
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/06/08/kin_charged_in_cape_slaying/
There was one quote that I especially wanted to mention. ''Winnie wouldn't hurt a fly,'' It is said that was meant literally. It is said that if Winifred caught a fly in her home, she would catcch it and release it outside in the fresh air.