On January 24, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in the area of Trails End Drive in Punta Gorda, Florida, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, Mario Schiano and Anthony Galeotti. The victims were found shot and killed inside a residence on Trails End Drive. The call reporting the incident was received by Charlotte County dispatchers just before 1:00 PM, prompting an immediate response from deputies and detectives from the Major Case Unit, who secured the scene.
The investigation, led by the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, identified the victims as Mario Schiano, born May 25, 1976, and Anthony Galeotti, born August 18, 1979. The sheriff, Bill Prummell, assured the public that the incident was isolated and specific to the residence, posing no danger to the broader community.
As the investigation progressed, several arrests were made in connection with the murders. Kelly Schiano, Mario's wife, and Everett Michael Harper were arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy to commit a capital felony. Later, a third individual, Justin Robert Casagranda, was identified as the suspected hired killer. Casagranda, a 35-year-old man from Athens, Georgia, was a longtime friend of the Schiano family and had lived in the Trails End Drive home until he moved to Athens approximately two years prior.
Casagranda was arrested in Athens, Georgia, after detectives placed him at the scene of the shootings. A search warrant executed at his home led to the discovery of a firearm, and he was charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. An extradition warrant was served to bring him back to Charlotte County to face charges of two counts of second-degree murder.
According to Sheriff Prummell, the motive behind the killings was related to "drugs and money." The investigation concluded with the arrest of Casagranda, who was described as the "final piece of the puzzle" in charging all those involved in the murders. The community was thanked for their trust and cooperation in helping to bring the perpetrators to justice.
