Michael Petrozzino, a 63-year-old white male, was found dead on November 4, 2014, in his Orlando, Florida home. His wife, Nancy Petrozzino, a 64-year-old white female, was also found deceased at the scene. Both victims had been fatally shot. The discovery was made after Nancy failed to report to her job as a second-grade teacher at Andover Elementary School, prompting a welfare check by authorities.
The primary person of interest in the case was their son, Sean Petrozzino, a 30-year-old
quadruple amputee who had lost his hands and feet to bacterial meningitis as a teenager. Sean had recently moved back in with his parents following financial difficulties and the breakdown of his marriage. Surveillance footage captured Sean at a Wells Fargo ATM in Orlando on the morning of the murders, and he was last seen driving his father's red Toyota Camry.
Despite being labeled a person of interest rather than a suspect, Sean Petrozzino was considered armed and dangerous. Authorities launched a manhunt, fearing he might be headed to South Florida. Sean's friends reported that he had been suffering from depression following his separation from his wife, which had been finalized just days before the murders.
The investigation into the deaths of Michael and Nancy Petrozzino was extensive, involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Sean Petrozzino's unique physical characteristics, including his prosthetic legs and the absence of his hands, were highlighted in public advisories to aid in his identification. The case drew significant media attention due to the tragic circumstances and Sean's previous public profile as an inspirational figure overcoming severe physical challenges.
Ultimately, Sean Petrozzino was found deceased in an apparent suicide, bringing a tragic end to the case. The deaths of Michael and Nancy Petrozzino were ruled as homicides, and the investigation concluded with the determination that Sean had been responsible for their deaths before taking his own life.
