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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