A 69-year-old man was found dead in his home in Palm Bay, Florida on Thursday night, the victim of a brutal murder. The suspect, Justin Giambanco, 31, was arrested on Saturday by Palm Bay police after a joint investigation with Melbourne police and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. Giambanco is a repeat offender with a history of violence and was out on bond for battering a police officer and trespassing when he allegedly killed the elderly man. He is now facing charges of second-degree murder with a firearm, false imprisonment, grand theft of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held without bond at the Brevard County Jail Complex.

Police Chief, Mario Augello - Photo Credit - City of Palm Bay

The police chief of Palm Bay, Mario Augello, expressed his frustration with the judicial system that allowed Giambanco to be released multiple times despite his crimes. He called Giambanco “pure evil” and said that the murder could have been prevented if he had served his full sentence for violating his probation in April 2021. He also said that Giambanco was a suspect in several burglaries in the county since his last release on April 16.

The identity of the victim has not been released yet, pending notification of next of kin. The police have not disclosed the motive or the circumstances of the murder, but they said that it was based on evidence at the scene that they identified Giambanco as a suspect. The investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Palm Bay Police Department or Crimeline.

This is a tragic and senseless loss of life that has shaken the community of Palm Bay. We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the victim and hope that justice will be served for this heinous crime.

Here is Chief Augello’s complete statement:

Out on Bond, Violent Criminal Murders Elderly…