Insets, left: Shannon R. Giblin after her arrest for murder (Sarasota County Sheriff”s Office). Right: Giblin’s mug shot (Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The home in Punta Gorda, Florida, where Giblin allegedly murdered a 76-year-old man (WINK).
In a tragic turn of events in Florida, a woman is accused of murdering a 76-year-old veteran she was allegedly hired to assist with household tasks. The incident reportedly escalated from an argument, leading to the veteran’s death, after which the woman allegedly concealed his body with a tarp and fled in his car.
Shannon R. Giblin, aged 47, faces charges of second-degree murder and grand theft auto in connection with the death of Paul De Wayne Bradley in Punta Gorda. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies were called to a residence on Gewant Boulevard Sunday evening after receiving a report of an unresponsive individual.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered Bradley had suffered fatal stab wounds. Noticing his vehicle was absent, investigators quickly traced it to Sarasota County using various investigative techniques.
Giblin, identified as Bradley’s roommate, was found in possession of the vehicle and subsequently taken into custody. In a subsequent interview, she allegedly confessed to killing Bradley following a dispute.
“After determining the victim was beyond assistance, Giblin reportedly covered Bradley with a tarp and departed the scene in his pickup truck,” deputies stated.
While authorities have not disclosed a motive, neighbors informed CBS affiliate WINK that Bradley had recently employed Giblin for household assistance following the death of his wife a few years prior.
“From my understanding, things weren’t going really well… but he was gonna, I guess, evict her that day, and then that happened, so I’m assuming something didn’t go right,” neighbor Jody Scharping told the outlet.
Scharping said her neighbor was a kind man who was well-liked in the neighborhood.
“He was a veteran. He went through wars and came back, he survived a heart attack not long ago, and then this is what takes his life. Nobody deserves that,” she said.
Giblin’s family released a statement to WINK that apologized for her alleged actions. The statement insinuated that Giblin was going through a mental health crisis at the time of the stabbing and lamented the fact that veterans have difficulty getting help.
She is currently in the Sarasota County Jail and is expected to be moved to Charlotte County to face her charges.
