A father in upstate New York was sentenced to 30 years in prison after killing his pregnant wife and attacking his two daughters, revealing the deadly reach of domestic violence.
At a Glance
- Drew Garnier fatally stabbed his pregnant wife in Masonville, NY, over gender disappointment
- He attacked his two daughters, ages 6 and 9, who survived despite critical injuries
- Garnier pleaded guilty and received a 30-year sentence with a no-contact order
- The court prohibited him from contacting his children until 2056
- The girls are now in the custody of their maternal grandfather, Gregory Vernagallo
“He Wanted a Boy”: Gender Rage Turns Fatal
In a chilling act that stunned the quiet town of Masonville, New York, Drew Garnier, 33, brutally murdered his pregnant wife Samantha and attacked their two daughters because he was angry the unborn child was another girl. On September 4, 2024, Garnier’s rage culminated in a bloodbath that left his family shattered and a community grieving.
Samantha, who was due with the couple’s third daughter in February, died from multiple stab wounds. Her two daughters, Izzie (6) and Adelina (9), were also stabbed but survived their injuries. During the court proceedings, Samantha’s father, Gregory Vernagallo, told the judge, “He wanted a boy,” underscoring the grotesque motive behind Garnier’s violent actions.
Watch a report: Father Kills Pregnant Wife Over Gender Disappointment.
Garnier pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and two counts of first-degree assault. The plea deal avoided a full trial, which prosecutors said would have forced the children to relive the trauma. Judge John Hubbard, while delivering the sentence, stated, “You took a life and injured your children. They had a right to expect protection from you.”
Legal Aftermath and Protective Measures
Garnier’s 30-year sentence was accompanied by a strict no-contact order, barring him from any communication with Izzie and Adelina until at least 2056. He reportedly resisted signing this provision, but the court upheld it to protect the children’s recovery process. Delaware County District Attorney Shawn J. Smith supported the decision, saying the girls must be allowed to “focus on recovering from their ordeal.”
Garnier is now incarcerated, with parole eligibility decades away, and the daughters are rebuilding their lives under the guardianship of their grandfather. “I am their father now. I will protect them,” Vernagallo vowed, having legally adopted the girls.
A Spotlight on Domestic Violence
This case has reignited national conversations about domestic violence and gender-based abuse, especially in households where misogyny can evolve into lethal obsession. Advocates argue the Garnier case demonstrates the need for better mental health outreach and support for women at risk.
Despite the horrific loss, the community has rallied behind the surviving girls. Their resilience, along with Vernagallo’s commitment, reflects the strength found in compassion and support systems.
As the legal proceedings close, the haunting lessons remain: gender-based expectations can become deadly, and no family is immune from the quiet escalation of domestic rage. The focus now turns to ensuring these young survivors have a chance to heal and thrive, shielded from the man who tore their world apart.
