VIERA, Fla. — A Florida man pleaded guilty to the murder of his 15-year-old daughter and three other individuals, committing a violent crime that has shaken a community and left a judge to determine his fate. Domenico C. Gigante, 40, entered his pleas in court on August 27, admitting to four counts of first-degree premeditated murder, along with an armed burglary charge.
Gigante’s decision to skip a jury trial shifts the responsibility of sentencing entirely to Brevard County Circuit Judge Laura Moody. The state will continue to pursue a death sentence, despite Gigante’s guilty plea, which means the judge will hear arguments regarding his punishment without the input of a jury. The sentencing proceedings are anticipated to take place in late October or early November, although a specific date has yet to be confirmed.
The tragic events unfolded in the early hours of March 1, 2023, at a home in Canaveral Groves, where Gigante brutally killed Kiarra Terwilliger, his daughter, along with her mother, Constance Terwilliger, her grandmother, Glenda Terwilliger, and family friend Michael Watson. Two younger siblings present during the horrific incident managed to survive and contacted a relative for help, leading law enforcement to the scene shortly before 2 a.m.
Police reports indicate a deteriorating relationship between Gigante and his daughter had escalated to violence. Court documents reveal that prior to the murders, Gigante expressed his frustration about Kiarra’s reluctance to engage with him and conveyed intentions of harming her and others. This insight, shared by a roommate, formed part of the evidence collected by investigators piecing together the tragic timeline.
Footage from surveillance cameras provided crucial information. It showed Gigante leaving his home shortly before the murders carrying what appeared to be a firearm. Further recordings from the victims’ neighborhood captured the sounds of gunshots and a woman screaming. Shortly after the incident, he was seen returning to his residence, less than an hour after he had left.
Detectives quickly identified Gigante as a suspect after discovering the bodies. During questioning with authorities, he was confronted with the news of his daughter’s death. According to accounts, his roommate confronted him about his involvement, to which Gigante allegedly confessed to shooting Kiarra. He was arrested later that day and charged with multiple counts of murder.
A grand jury indictment soon followed, formalizing charges against Gigante in March 2023. Prosecutors indicated their intent to seek the death penalty, citing several aggravating factors, including the number of victims and the familial relationship between Gigante and Kiarra, who was under his care when the violence occurred.
Initially represented by a public defender, Gigante maintained his not-guilty plea for much of the proceedings until he opted to act as his own attorney in July 2026. His change of heart culminated in the recent guilty pleas, which have significantly simplified the legal process moving forward. The issue now rests solely on the appropriate sentence.
As the community reels from the aftermath of this tragic case, the focus turns to the upcoming sentencing phase. The court’s determination will ultimately set the course for Gigante’s life, with potential outcomes ranging from life imprisonment to a death sentence. Throughout these proceedings, the plight of the surviving siblings has remained a poignant reminder of innocence lost amid familial tragedy. Gigante remains in custody while awaiting his fate, as the prosecution continues to assert that the severity of the crimes warrants the harshest possible penalty.