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Description
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Nelson Serrano 1997 Mass Murder Case

Overview

Nelson Iván Serrano Sáenz (born September 15, 1938; died August 7–8, 2024) was an Ecuadorian-American businessman convicted of the December 3, 1997 execution-style murders of four individuals at the Erie Manufacturing plant in Bartow, Polk County, Florida .

Victims & Crime Details

  • George Gonsalves (age 69) – business partner; shot in the head at Erie Manufacturing, Bartow, FL, December 3, 1997
  • Frank Dosso (age 35) – son of partner Felice “Phil” Dosso; shot execution-style at the same location and date
  • Diane Patisso (age 28) – daughter of Felice “Phil” Dosso and assistant state attorney; present to pick up her brother and husband, shot in the head with .22 and .32 caliber bullets, at Erie Manufacturing, December 3, 1997
  • George Patisso Jr. (age 26) – husband of Diane Patisso; shot execution-style at Erie Manufacturing, December 3, 1997

Sequence & Motive

  • The four were found executed inside Erie Manufacturing, Bartow, FL, on December 3, 1997
  • Motive: Serrano had been ousted as president after bitter financial disputes. He alleged his partners removed $1 million without his consent; disputes over asset distribution and alleged “two sets of books” escalated tension
  • Shortly before the murders, Serrano was removed as company president and locks were changed on the building; his son Francisco had been fired by Phil Dosso and George Gonsalves
  • Employees testified to strained relations; Serrano was heard expressing a wish that Gonsalves were dead
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Links to Additional Sources (9)
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Killer's Details

Serrano

Nelson

12/3/1997

5:50 PM

25

6:15 PM

1520

Centennial Blvd

Bartow

FL

Polk County

33830

27.893339

-81.859737

Manufacturing plant

59

1

Yes

2 Firearms

NA

08/15/2025


Location: