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Memorial for slain Marine vet targeted by vandals

Frank Giannazzo says someone has removed memorial twice since putting it up

OCOEE, Fla. – The family of a man killed in Ocoee tells News 6 that someone keeps taking down their roadside memorial.

Frank Giannazzo said a couple days ago, he put up a memorial for his brother, Richard Giannazzo, 54, and his girlfriend, Diana Cole, 55. Frank Giannazzo said his brother was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Giannazzo and Cole were killed while walking along West Silver Star Road on Nov. 2. The couple was on their way home from the Ocoee Founder's Day Festival.

Frank Giannazzo said someone has removed the memorial twice since putting it up.

"I want this in the same spot where this person or persons took it from," Frank Giannazzo said. "He died trying to push his girlfriend out of the way, and they both died. But he was trying. He died a hero, as far as I can see."

Ocoee police arrested Tammer Mansour, 36, on two counts of vehicular homicide and failing to render aid. Witnesses said Mansour pulled into a nearby parking lot and took off on foot. He was arrested a short time later.

Investigators wrote in their report the vehicle's speedometer was stuck at 78 mph from the point of impact. The posted speed limit in the area is 35 mph.

Mansour posted bond and was released from jail without going before a judge. Frank Giannazzo said that's something that needs to change, and he's working to get results.

"I'll talk to every congressman, every senator. I'll talk to the president, governor, ambassador, you name it. I'm going to get this fixed," Frank Giannazzo said.

Court records show Mansour has pleaded not guilty to the charges.


About the Author
Troy Campbell headshot

Troy graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. He has reported on Mexican drug cartel violence on the El Paso/ Juarez border, nuclear testing facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory and severe Winter weather in Michigan.

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