Mother Charged With Murdering Daughter In Delco Identified

UPPER DARBY, PA — The Delaware County mother accused of fatally stabbing her 23-year-old daughter in Delaware County has been identified and charged.

Diana Grovola, 57, of Secane, is charged with homicide, first- and second-degree murder, and possession of an instrument of crime. She is also charged with aggravated cruelty to animals after authorities said she also stabbed the family dog.

The stabbing happened at about 6:38 a.m. on Dec. 23 at 200 S. Bishop Ave. in Upper Darby, according to charging documents.

When police showed up after being contacted by Grovola's husband, John Grovola, they found her nude, covered in blood, and suffering from self-inflicted cuts.

Grovola did not comply with police, documents say, and she was restrained subsequently. During that interaction, police said she told officers, "sorry, I should have stabbed myself first."

EMTs meanwhile tried to save Grovola's daughter, who was found suffering from cuts to her face, chest, legs, and back. However, she was pronounced dead at 7:07 a.m.

Authorities learned when John Grovola came home from an overnight shift at the Philadelphia International Airport, the family dog approached him and had cuts on its body. The dog was taken to a veterinary clinic for treatment.

He then saw his wife, who was seated and holding a knife, and told him she stabbed their daughter, police said. He told police he remembers Diana Grovola mentioning she hurt the dog, as well.

John Grovola went to his daughter's bedroom and saw her on her back with her eyes open. Police said he called her name several times and did not get a response, police said.

He went back downstair and called 911, and during the call Diana Grovola said she did not want to live anymore and began stabbing herself in the chest, charging documents show.

The 911 dispatcher told him to leave the home, and as he did, he saw Diana Grovola throw the knife to the floor and strip naked. He also said he heard her start breaking things in the kitchen until police showed up, authorities said.

Investigators found a large, stainless-steel knife with a black handle in the living room wall, which appeared to have blood on it, police said.

Diana Grovola is being held without bail and is scheduled for a Jan. 6 preliminary hearing, court records show.