Secane woman charged in fatal stabbing of 23-year-old daughter, family dog

An Upper Darby woman is facing murder charges after police say she stabbed her daughter to death inside their home in December.

According to news reports, John Grovola came home on Dec. 23 after working an overnight shift and saw his wife, 57-year-old Diana Grovola, seated and holding a knife. She reportedly told him she stabbed the couple’s 23-year-old daughter, Daniele Grovola, and hurt the family dog. By the time police arrived, Grovola reportedly also started stabbing herself and stripped naked.

While emergency medical personnel reportedly tried to revive Grovolas’ daughter, she was pronounced dead. The dog, which was suffering from cuts on its body, was taken to a veterinary clinic for treatment. The incident occurred on South Bishop Avenue in the Secane area of Upper Darby Township.

Grovola has been charged with first- and third-degree murder, criminal homicide, possession of an instrument of a crime, and aggravated cruelty to animals.