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The investigation into the murder of Paula F. Grossi, 45, of Rehoboth enters its second week with police still keeping a tight lid on how much information is provided to the public.
Police say releasing too much information would impede the investigation as they search for two men wanted for the crime.
The addition of a $100,000 reward could speed up the investigation. Francis “Frank” Grossi, father of the slain woman, met with the public and press Friday, Feb. 2, to announce a $100,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for what he called a senseless and horrific act.
The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit detective in charge of the investigation, Mark Papili, called the reward the highest he can recall.
“Mr. Grossi has been more than generous to help us resolve this case,” he said during a press conference at the Lewes Fire Department. “You can imagine that we will probably get a lot of information.”
Police said two men shot Paula Grossi during an apparent home invasion Friday, Jan. 26. The apparent motive is based on interviews of two people - an unidentified male relative and a female friend - who were in the house in the Stable Farm development at the time of the shooting.
Grossi said his daughter was handicapped and on disability. “She had a couple of illnesses that made her weak and tired constantly,” he said. “If there was a struggle, she couldn’t very well defend herself.”
Grossi confirmed that two attempted break-ins – one on Sept. 8 and another one in late December – had occurred at the home in Stable Farms, a development west of Route 1 near Rehoboth Beach. He was asked if he thought the same men were involved. “It very well could have been,” he said.
Police said no other break-ins were reported in the neighborhood.
People are on edge
The crime has some people in the area on edge. Several people said they planned to attend a Neighborhood Watch meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Lewes Senior Center to ask questions about the crime.
At the press conference Papili answered questions from one person who said she was concerned for the community’s safety. Toni McClay, a friend of Paul Grossi who lives in nearby Rehoboth Beach Golf & Country Club, asked why more information hasn’t been released.
“If police feel this is a random act of home invasion, they should tell the community or at least we should be more informed,” she said.
She said her home’s alarm system has never been used, at least not until recently. “Up until the last four days, we have never had it on,” she said.
“We understand about hindering the investigation by releasing some information, but we are still wondering why more information hasn’t been released,” she said. “We are growing increasingly uneasy because of the lack of information.”
A more detailed description of the suspects, including a composite drawing and a description of a tattoo on the face of one of them is among items that have not been released by police.
Papili said he could not release a description of the tattoo on the face of one of the suspects. “It would hinder the investigation to describe it any further,” he said.
Papili also said releasing certain details would hurt the case. “Releasing some information would hinder the case and prosecution of the case,” he said. “What we have put out so far is probably the most we are going to put out until the next step of the investigation. As information develops that we feel will put the public at ease, we will release it.”
He also said police understand the concern for public safety. He said extra patrols have been established in certain areas and a meeting between Troop 7 officers and Stable Farm residents has been scheduled. Police said meetings with other nearby neighborhoods could be scheduled.
“We want the public to see we have people out there watching,” he said.
Details of the crime
Police were also questioned about why composite drawings of the suspects have not been completed.
Papili said it came down to scheduling and priorities. He said family members were involved with the funeral service last week and police were busy following tips, which contributed to a lack of time to work on the drawings. He said composites should be released early this week.
Police have said the man and woman told them two intruders shot Grossi, tied them up, ransacked the house, stole several items and left. Police said the man and woman were able to get free and call for help, and the man and woman were tied up for two to five minutes.
Police said they would not release the type of weapon used or the number of shots fired, and they are not looking for a vehicle because they do not have a desciption of one used in the crime.
Papili also said there were no signs of a forced entry.
One suspect is described as a white male who is 20 to 25 years old, 5-feet-7-inches tall, weighs 160 to 170 pounds and has black facial hair. He was wearing a wool hat, a hooded jacket and white gloves. The other intruder was white, about 40 years old, 5-feet-6-inches tall, weighs about 200 pounds and has a small tattoo under his left eye. He was wearing black overalls, brown construction boots and dark-colored gloves.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 302-739-5939, Troop 7 at 644-5020 or Crimestoppers at 800-TIP-3333.
Papili said people are sanitized to crimes being solved in television time. “In real life, things don’t move that quickly,” he said. “If something breaks or develops, we will get it out to the media.”
Contact Ron MacArthur at ronm@capegazette.com
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