In the quiet town of Amite City, Louisiana, the life of 66-year-old Hispanic female Priscilla Diane Garcia Brocato came to a tragic end in the spring of 2025. Known to her loved ones as Diana, she and her husband of over 44 years, Marc Francis Brocato, were discovered deceased at their home on Thursday, April 3rd. The couple, who were longtime residents of the area, had built a life together filled with simple joys like fishing in Manchac, spoiling their grandchildren, and caring for their
beloved pets. Priscilla, in particular, was known for her love of baking, often winning awards at the Tangipahoa Parish Fair for her delicious treats.
The grim discovery was made after a concerned family member requested a welfare check when they were unable to reach Priscilla and Marc. When deputies from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office arrived at the couple's residence, they found Priscilla's body inside the home. A further search of the property revealed the body of her 75-year-old husband. It was later determined that both had been fatally shot, with authorities estimating their deaths occurred sometime between March 31st and April 1st. The tranquil life they had known was shattered by an act of violence that would soon point to a suspect within their own family.
Immediately, law enforcement identified their 34-year-old son, Joshua Brocato, as a person of interest. He was unaccounted for, and a search was initiated. Investigators believed he was traveling in his white Ford utility van and had been last seen in Lafayette. The search for Joshua quickly escalated, and an arrest warrant for two counts of first-degree murder was issued. The manhunt came to an end the following day in Los Angeles, California. Deputies there located the van and arrested Joshua, who was found in possession of body armor and several loaded firearms, including an assault rifle.
Following his arrest, Joshua Brocato was extradited back to Louisiana and booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on April 18, 2025. In addition to the two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of his parents, he also faced charges related to drug and weapons possession. While a suspect was in custody, the motive for this devastating crime remained unclear to investigators. The community was left to mourn the loss of a couple described as loving and integral to their family, while the legal process against their son began to unfold.
