A New York father’s obsession with having a son resulted in a heinous crime that killed his pregnant wife and seriously injured his young daughters, earning him a 30-year prison sentence. Drew Garnier, 33, murdered his pregnant wife, Samantha, 29, and attempted to kill their two daughters because he wanted a male child. Samantha was murdered on September 5, 2024, while five months pregnant with their third daughter.
Fatal Obsession Leads to Family Tragedy
Drew Garnier, 33, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter and two counts of first-degree assault for the brutal attack on his family in Centerville, New York. The September 2024 incident shocked the small upstate community when Garnier stabbed his pregnant wife, Samantha, 29, and their two daughters, Adelina, 9, and Izzie, 6. Authorities determined the motive behind the attack was Garnier’s anger at learning his wife was expecting another girl instead of the son he desperately wanted.
Police responding to the scene found all three females with multiple stab wounds. Samantha, who was five months pregnant with the couple’s third daughter, was airlifted to a hospital but pronounced dead upon arrival. The unborn child did not survive. The two young girls survived the attack despite suffering serious injuries. Prosecutors agreed to a plea deal to spare the children from having to testify at trial and relive the trauma of witnessing their mother’s murder and surviving their father’s attempt on their lives.
⚠️ WARNING: This post contains graphic descriptions of violence/gore.
Drew Garnier, 33, was sentenced Thursday (May 15, 2025) in a New York court to 30 years in prison, to be followed by 15 years of probation, for the September 4, 2024, murder of his wife, Samantha, 29, & the… pic.twitter.com/xb8prTWThZ
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) May 17, 2025
Justice and Protection for Survivors
At the sentencing hearing, Judge John Hubbard emphasized the unimaginable breach of trust Garnier committed against his family. “You took a life and injured your children. They had a right to expect protection from you,” Hubbard told Garnier. The sentence includes 30 years of incarceration followed by 15 years of post-release supervision. Additionally, the court issued strict no-contact orders prohibiting Garnier from communicating with his daughters until 2056, when they will be well into adulthood.
Reports indicate Garnier requested contact with his daughters while serving his sentence, but the court denied this request, prioritizing the children’s welfare. The no-contact orders can only be amended if the victims themselves choose to initiate contact when they’re older. Notably, Garnier refused to sign these orders during court proceedings, showing continued defiance even after his conviction. The actions reflect a disturbing pattern of control that culminated in the fatal attack.
The number one cause of death for pregnant people are their partners. Samantha Garnier’s husband stabbed his pregnant wife to death & attempted to murder his their 6 & 9 yr old daughters bc he wanted a boy. pic.twitter.com/xTPs0PxP4f
— KaRAYgeous ⸆⸉ ☽☾🩷💜💙🪻 (@kraywhiseheart) May 22, 2025
A Grandfather Steps Forward
In the aftermath of this tragedy, Gregory Vernagallo, Samantha’s father, has stepped in to provide stability for his granddaughters. He has adopted both girls and has been helping them recover from their physical and emotional wounds. During the sentencing, Vernagallo made a powerful declaration to the court regarding his commitment to his grandchildren’s safety andture well-being.
“I am their father now. I will protect them.” Gregory Vernagallo
District Attorney Shawn J. Smith emphasized that the plea agreement was carefully crafted to allow the young victims to “focus on recovering from their ordeal” rather than facing the additional trauma of testifying in court. The case has drawn attention to the critical importance of recognizing warning signs of domestic violence and the devastating consequences when intervention comes too late. Community members have rallied around the surviving children, offering support as they begin the difficult journey of healing from unimaginable loss and betrayal.