Forensic Files

The Amato Family Murders | Morbid

Morbid | Podcast

  • May 2, 2023
  • 1:11:01
  • Full Episode

On the morning of January 25, 2019, Seminole County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a home in Chuluota, Florida to conduct a well-being check on thirty-one-year-old Cody Amato, who failed to show up for work that day. Upon entering the home, officers discovered the bodies of Cody, Chad, and Margaret Amato, all dead from apparent gunshot wounds—there were no signs of a break-in and nothing was missing. The crime scene looked as though it had been staged to look like a murder-suicide and suspicion quickly fell on the Amato’s youngest son, Grant, who was missing from the home.

Thank you so much to the lovely David White for research assistance.

References

Dukes, Amanda. 2019. Grant Amato, man found guilty of killing family members, sentenced to life in prison. August 13. Accessed March 22, 2023. https://www.wesh.com/article/penalty-phase-for-grant-amato-to-begin-monday/28670352#.

Seminole County Sheriff's Office. 2018. CJIS Report. Missing Person; Well-Being, Chuluota, FL: Seminole County Sheriff's Office.State of Florida vs. Grant Tiernan Amato. 2019. 20190000740 (Circuit Court of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Seminole County, Florida, January 28).

Swenson, Kyle. 2019. "He spent $200,000 on a Bulgarian 'cam girl.'." Washington Post, January 29.

Williams, Michael. 2019. "Accused killer seeks millonaire for help with jail bond, emails reveal." Orlando Sentinel, May 15: A1.—. 2019.

"Amato's lawyers ask judge to sequester jruy." Orlando Sentinel, June 12: B2.—. 2019.

"Grant Amato verdict: Guilty of first-degree murder in killings of family." Orlando Sentinel, July 31.—. 2019.

"'I have become somewhat of a celebrity,' accused killer Grant Amato says in letter." Orlando Sentinel, April 27: B2.—. 2019.

"'I want to believe you,' surviving sibling says." Orlando Sentinel, March 28: A1.—. 2019.

"Judge grants $750k bond for suspect in family murders." Orlando Sentinel, April 26: B1.—. 2019.

"Obsession, money, lies tore this family apart." Orlando Sentinel, July 14: A1.—. 2019.

"Records give glimpse into Chulota man's relationship with model." Orlando Sentinel, May 30: B1.

Williams, Michael, Jeff Weiner, and Gal Lotan. 2019. "'I hate myself for what I did"." Orlando Sentinel, April 16: A1.

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Brief Summary

Grant Amato murders his family after a spiraling obsession with a cam girl and theft from his parents.

Key points

  • The Amato Family Murders. A deep dive into the tragic Amato family murders, exploring the life of Grant Amato.
  • Grant's Downward Spiral. Grant Amato's life takes a dark turn after being fired from his nursing job.
  • Addiction and Deception. Grant's addiction leads him to steal from his family to fund his online relationships.
  • Admission of Theft. Grant admits to stealing money to support his relationship with Sylvie.
  • Aunt's Discovery. Grant's aunt discovers unfamiliar charges on her credit card after he stays with her.
  • Intervention Day. The family stages an intervention to demand Grant take responsibility for his actions.

Tension

85/ 100High tension

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