The family of a woman who was gunned down by her boyfriend last week said Tuesday they could not have survived the ordeal without the support of the community.
Sandy Pucci of Pottsville is being remembered as someone who was caring and loved her family, especially her month-old grandson.
Police said last week her boyfriend, Frank Manganiello, shot and killed her in a parking lot in Pottsville. He then led officers on a chase, jumped out of a car holding a gun to his head and yelling at police. He ran in to a church, where he killed himself at the altar.
Family members said after Pucci was shot and before Manganiello killed himself there was a chance encounter with Pucci's stepdaughter. "A car was coming down the wrong way in my lane and before he hit me he turned and jumped out and I saw it was Frank and he had a gun," said stepdaughter Jodi Staller.
"This incident had me experience the most anger I have ever had in my life. I have never been so angry as I was when this first happened," said Pucci's friend, Reverend Bonnie Yeagar.
She gathered with the grieving family and talked about the ordeal publicly for the first time.
"At first, I didn't believe it. She went like that and when I went to the hospital it began to kick in," said son Jim Pucci.
"It was total disbelief. It was like, 'My god, what happened?' It took for a couple days for it to sink in," said nephew Dave Strausser.
"She was just too sweet of a person that I could think would ever happen to," said daughter-in-law Shannon Pucci.
Police said Manganiello was free on bail after being charged with breaking into Pucci's home. Investigators said he then raped raped and terrorized her. Pucci got a court order, telling her would-be killer to stay away. They said Manganiello was a controlling person who wanted Pucci at all cost.
"Especially in his mind. He wanted one thing, Sandy and when you're in that mindset nothing else seems to matter, especially to him," said brother-in-law Vince Terracia.
"I told her to please be careful. PFAs are not worth the paper they are written on," said Staller. "I'm just glad I got to talk to her the day before."
Flowers mark the spot where Sandy Pucci was gunned down. Her funeral will be held Thursday, but the memories of her will live on through her family and friends.
Sandy Pucci of Pottsville is being remembered as someone who was caring and loved her family, especially her month-old grandson.
Police said last week her boyfriend, Frank Manganiello, shot and killed her in a parking lot in Pottsville. He then led officers on a chase, jumped out of a car holding a gun to his head and yelling at police. He ran in to a church, where he killed himself at the altar.
Family members said after Pucci was shot and before Manganiello killed himself there was a chance encounter with Pucci's stepdaughter. "A car was coming down the wrong way in my lane and before he hit me he turned and jumped out and I saw it was Frank and he had a gun," said stepdaughter Jodi Staller.
"This incident had me experience the most anger I have ever had in my life. I have never been so angry as I was when this first happened," said Pucci's friend, Reverend Bonnie Yeagar.
She gathered with the grieving family and talked about the ordeal publicly for the first time.
"At first, I didn't believe it. She went like that and when I went to the hospital it began to kick in," said son Jim Pucci.
"It was total disbelief. It was like, 'My god, what happened?' It took for a couple days for it to sink in," said nephew Dave Strausser.
"She was just too sweet of a person that I could think would ever happen to," said daughter-in-law Shannon Pucci.
Police said Manganiello was free on bail after being charged with breaking into Pucci's home. Investigators said he then raped raped and terrorized her. Pucci got a court order, telling her would-be killer to stay away. They said Manganiello was a controlling person who wanted Pucci at all cost.
"Especially in his mind. He wanted one thing, Sandy and when you're in that mindset nothing else seems to matter, especially to him," said brother-in-law Vince Terracia.
"I told her to please be careful. PFAs are not worth the paper they are written on," said Staller. "I'm just glad I got to talk to her the day before."
Flowers mark the spot where Sandy Pucci was gunned down. Her funeral will be held Thursday, but the memories of her will live on through her family and friends.
