Pennsylvania Mother Charged After Fatally Stabbing Daughter While Husband Returned Home With McDonald’s Breakfast

DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA — A Pennsylvania father returning home from an overnight shift — carrying McDonald’s breakfast for his family — instead walked into a horrific crime scene, where police say his wife had stabbed their 23-year-old daughter to death and attacked the family dog inside their home.

Authorities identified the suspect as Diane Grovola, 57, who is now charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, criminal homicide, possession of an instrument of crime, and aggravated cruelty to animals, according to the Upper Darby Police Department.

The victim was Daniele Grovola, the couple’s adult daughter.

Father Returns Home From Overnight Shift

The killing occurred during the early morning hours Tuesday at a home on South Bishop Avenue in the Secane area of Delaware County, part of the Philadelphia metro region.

According to a criminal complaint, the victim’s father left his overnight shift at a UPS facility near Philadelphia International Airport between 5 and 5:30 a.m. On the way home, he stopped at McDonald’s to pick up breakfast for his family — a timeline later confirmed by license plate reader data, police said.

When he entered the house around 6:38 a.m., the family dog greeted him. As he bent down to pet the animal, he noticed blood on his clothes, authorities said.

‘I Stabbed Our Daughter,’ Woman Allegedly Said

The father then saw his wife, Diane Grovola, sitting on the living room couch holding a knife, according to police.

“I stabbed our daughter,” she allegedly told him.

The woman also admitted she had injured the family dog, investigators said.

The father immediately went to his daughter’s bedroom, where he found Daniele Grovola lying on her back, eyes open and unresponsive. He repeatedly called her name but got no response. He then returned to the living room and called 911.

Daughter Pronounced Dead at Scene

Emergency medical personnel arrived and attempted lifesaving measures on the 23-year-old, who had suffered multiple stab wounds to her face, chest, back, and legs. Despite extensive efforts, she was pronounced dead at 7:07 a.m., police said.

During the 911 call, the father told dispatchers his wife wanted to die and had begun stabbing herself in the chest, according to the complaint.

Dispatchers instructed him to flee the house for safety, which he did.

Police Encounter Blood-Covered, Naked Suspect

When officers arrived, they were told the suspect was still armed with a knife. Inside the home, police allegedly found Diane Grovola naked, covered in blood, and suffering from superficial self-inflicted cuts.

Authorities said she refused to comply with commands and had to be physically restrained using wrist restraints.

After being subdued, the woman allegedly made a chilling remark:

“Sorry, I should have stabbed myself first,” she said, according to police.

Knife Recovered From Living Room Wall

Investigators later executed a search warrant and recovered a large stainless steel kitchen knife with a black handle lodged in a living room wall. The knife was covered in what appeared to be blood, police said.

The father told investigators that while he was fleeing the home, he saw his wife throw the knife toward the television, remove her clothing, and begin breaking items in the kitchen.

Dog Survives Brutal Attack

Police confirmed the family dog was found with cuts to its abdomen. The animal survived and was transported to a local veterinarian, where it was treated for its injuries.

Authorities included the animal cruelty charge due to the severity of the attack.

Charges Filed, No Bail Set

Diane Grovola was formally arraigned this week and is currently being held without bail at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility, court records show.

She is scheduled to appear in court again on January 6.

Community Shaken by Family Tragedy

The killing has left the Delaware County community stunned, particularly due to the domestic nature of the crime and the devastating moment when a father returned home expecting a normal morning with his family.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing, including a review of the suspect’s mental state, forensic evidence, and autopsy findings.

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