Cops Say Florida Man Killed Family, Stole $210K for His Porn Site 'Girlfriend'

Grant Amato allegedly shot his parents and brother, took money over a woman he met on an adult website.

January 30, 2019
Grant Amato [Seminole County Sheriff’s Office]

Grant Amato [Seminole County Sheriff’s Office]

Grant Amato [Seminole County Sheriff’s Office]

By: Mike McPadden

SANFORD, FL — A Florida man has been arrested for killing his parents and brother and is also accused of stealing $210,000 from the family to send to a woman in Bulgaria that he met on a pornographic website.

Grant Amato, 29, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of his mother, Margaret Ann Amato, 61; his father, Chad Amato, 59; and his brother Cody Amato, 31.

After Grant Amato failed to show up for his job as a nurse at AdventHealth Orlando this past Friday, coworkers called police to request a welfare check. Upon arriving at the Amato residence, deputies discovered the three bodies and noted that Grant’s Honda vehicle was missing.

The next day, officers located Amato’s car at an Orange County hotel, and took him into custody without incident. Amato is presently being held without bail.

The girlfriend of slain brother Cody Amato said that the family had been in turmoil over the suspect in recent years, particularly regarding a relationship he undertook with a Bulgarian woman he met on an adult website.

In addition, the girlfriend also alleged that Grant Amato had recently been kicked out of a training program to become a nurse anesthetist, and that he had stolen $60,000 and firearms from Cody. The arrest affidavit also notes: “Cody told [his girlfriend] he was afraid Grant Amato would kill everyone.”

A surviving brother, Jason Amato, reported to police that the accused stole an additional $150,000 from his father, all to finance his relationship with a Bulgarian-based woman he met on what police describe as “Cam Girls, an adult camera website.”

Grant Amato himself reportedly told invesitgators that his parents had ordered him to undergo a 60-day treatment for internet- and sex-addiction last December, but he left it early. Their final dispute apparently arose when Amato’s parents ordered him to cut off contact with the Bulgarian woman or he’d have to move out of their home.

According to the affidavit: "Grant Amato initially agreed to the rules his father had set, but he didn't think they were fair because he felt that the Bulgarian female was his girlfriend and they had a relationship."

The affidavit also describes Amato’s reaction to crime-scene photos of his dead parents and brother, alleging that he said, “his family had been blaming him for months for ruining their lives ... so he might as well be blamed for this, too."

Authorities reported that they’d been called twice to the Amato residence over the past year due to issues with Grant, most recently in December, when Margaret and Cody reported that he was missing, possibly suicidal, and that he had access to guns.

After holding Amato over the weekend in “investigative detention,” police formally arrested him on Monday. It is unknown if he has an attorney at this time.

Next Up

Father, Son Receive Life Sentences After They ‘Butchered And Discarded’ Young Mother

The two men did not want Nicole Montalvo to have custody of her child, prosecutors say.

True Crime News Roundup: Millionaire Robert Durst On Trial For Murder

A woman allegedly killed her newborn after delivering; the lawyer whose wife and son were murdered in June was shot in the head; and a toddler died after suspects police believe are students shot up his family’s home.

What’s Happened To The Menendez Brothers Since They Killed Their Parents?

The sensationalized 1989 murders and the siblings’ subsequent trials mesmerized the nation.

Man Fatally Shoots Brother Shortly After Release From Prison For Previous Attack

A 29-year-old Florida man free on parole is now facing murder charges after killing his 19-year-old brother, according to police.

Woman Says She Wishes Her Convicted Killer Sister Received The Death Penalty

“If my sister were to come after me in revenge, I would not hesitate in pulling a trigger against her," said Cindy Blust, as she prepares for her sister's release.

Mother-Of-Four Shot Dead After Ex-Husband Hires Brother To Kill Her, FBI Says

The siblings are both in custody over four years after elementary school teacher Sara Starr was found dead in her driveway.

Father Convicted Of Murdering Son During Court-Ordered Thanksgiving Visit

‘I am so suspect of you right now. How could he just disappear?’ Elaine Hall texted her ex-husband.

The Lone Survivor Of A Vicious Attack On His Family Recounts Horror

A Kentucky man told authorities that one of his sister’s admirers had killed his entire family — but that wasn’t the full story.

New Jersey Teenager ‘Casually’ Slaughtered His Family During New Year’s Eve Party

“He killed them because he could,” the prosecutor said of Scott Kologi fatally shooting his parents, sister, and grandfather’s partner on Dec. 31, 2017.

Woman Kidnapped At Age 6 Reunited With Her Mother Almost 14 Years Later

Jacqueline Hernandez located her mom in Florida and reached out on social media.