A Florida man had allegedly stolen at least $200,000 from his parents and brother and wired it to a Bulgarian woman he’d met on a pornographic site months before fatally shooting them execution style.
WKMG reported that Grant Amato, 29, was arrested Monday in connection with the deaths of his parents, Chad Amato, 59, and Margaret Amato, 61, and his brother, Cody Amato, 31, who were found dead Friday at their Chuluota home after a co-worker reported that Cody hadn’t come to work.
The Washington Post reported that, in the months leading up to the murders, Grant was dealing with an internet porn addiction that led him to steal $150,000 from his parents and $60,000 from his brother. Grant also allegedly stole his brother’s guns and sold them in addition to putting a $65,000 loan on the family home. Since June, Grant had sent money to an unnamed Bulgarian woman who he reportedly met on Cam Girls, a pornographic live-streaming site.
Grant was accused of sending the woman at least $200,000 in a three-month period. Sometime in December, Grant’s parents reportedly learned of the theft and gave their son an ultimatum: Enter a 60-day internet- and sex-addiction treatment facility or move out.
Citing the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, WKMG reported that soon after, Grant’s parents reported him missing, on December 20. At the time, his parents told police that believed Grant was suicidal, had access to firearms, and were “100 percent convinced he will try to harm himself.”
Police closed the missing persons case after locating Grant and determining that he didn’t require a psych evaluation but needed a break from his parents. It is not clear exactly where or when police found Grant, but he eventually did enter treatment in Fort Lauderdale — briefly. He began treatment on December 22 and left before completing 60 days on January 4.
Upon his return from rehab, Grant’s parents reportedly barred him from contacting the Bulgarian woman. The girlfriend of the suspect’s brother Cody’s reportedly told police that Grant’s life was in turmoil since his parents learned he stole money, adding that he was also kicked out of nurse anesthetist school.
“… Cody told [his girlfriend] that he was afraid Grant Amato would kill everyone,” according to an affidavit obtained by the Orlando Sentinel.
Despite the ultimatum from his parents, Grant reportedly continued to speak with the woman as he felt she was his girlfriend. Police wrote that Grant’s father confronted him about the secret relationship on January 24 and kicked his son out the home. The family was found dead—shot execution style—in the home the following morning, police said.
Investigators wrote that they showed Grant crime scene photos and asked if he had any remorse, to which he responded that “his family had been blaming him for months for ruining their lives…so he might as well be blamed for this too.”
Grant is charged with three counts of first-degree murder. His arraignment is scheduled for March 26.
[Featured image: Grant Amato/Seminole County Sheriff’s Office]