Scared Monkeys Discussion Forum

This was first brought to my attention in the Caylee Anthony case thread.  I had not realized Nicole had ties to NJ.  Here is a local article:

http://www.northjersey.com/news/crimeandcourts/27044999.html

   
 
Clifton family longs for answers in Fla. slaying
Saturday, August 16, 2008 BY ED BEESONSTAFF WRITER
   
Perhaps it was a tragic twist of fate that brought Nicole Ganguzza to Jay Blanchard Park in Orlando, Fla., two months ago.

The Passaic County native's murder remains unsolved, but on Friday Ganguzza's mother described what drew her daughter, an avid jogger, to the park on the day she died.

Days earlier, Ganguzza and her husband, Brendan, went cycling there for the first time. An idyllic green space in the midst of the hectic Florida suburb where the couple lived, the park brought to Ganguzza's mind memories of her childhood and of her years at Clifton High School, where she was captain of the cross-country team.

"It reminded her so much of the Garret Mountain," her mother, Eileen Alexander, said Friday, speaking of the nature preserve where Ganguzza, 26, ran as a teenager. "That's why she went running there that day."

That day was June 10. Ganguzza finished a late afternoon class at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, where she attended graduate school for family counseling, and called her husband to say she was going to jog the trail they had discovered.

Brendan, a Wayne native, never heard from his wife again.

Ganguzza's body was discovered the next day. Whoever killed her, police surmised, pulled her body some 50 feet off the trail, through a thicket of briars and left her out of sight from any passers-by.

The slaying of a bright and beloved young woman sparked a high-profile investigation. On Friday, investigators remained relatively tight-lipped in hopes they could find the killer. They refused to discuss the manner of her death. They would not confirm or deny any presumed connections between Ganguzza's killer and a rapist believed responsible for several attacks in and around the area of Orlando where Ganguzza was killed.

Of the four persons of interest named by the Orange County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office, which is investigating the killing, three have come forward and cleared their names, said Deputy Sheriff Carlos Padilla, a department spokesman. A fourth man hasn't been located, he said.

Meanwhile, two more women have been attacked not far from where Ganguzza was killed.

On July 7, a 25-year-old woman walking her dog was pulled into the woods by a man who ripped part of her shirt. She escaped and ran screaming for help. Then, on Wednesday, a 32-year-old woman stepped off her bike for a drink of water, only to have a stranger drag her into the woods. She, too, escaped.

Police said this week's attack appeared unrelated to Ganguzza's death or any of the rapes or attempted rapes in Orlando's Eastside, but news of the attacks kept the city uneasy about a killer on the loose.

Ganguzza's mother, who still lives in Clifton, said she is confident authorities are continuing to track every lead to catch the killer. One homicide detective has been assigned full time to the case, Padilla said.

As the police do their job, Ganguzza's family is trying to keep the young women's dream alive: providing mental heath care to society's neediest people.

"She always felt," said Alexander, 46, "the people who couldn't afford mental health care were the ones who needed it the most."

Her family established the Nicole P. Ganguzza Family Memorial Foundation in her honor and to raise money to benefit such people. The foundation is raising capital through donations and upcoming benefits, including dodge ball and golf tournaments to be held in Orlando.

As a worker with the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services and later as a student at the University of Central Florida's Marriage and Family Research Institute, Ganguzza earned high honors for her ability to communicate with emotionally distant or troubled children and families, her mother said. She had infinite patience and was unspeakably passionate for the work, Alexander said. Her daughter would often call her to celebrate her latest breakthrough with a client.

At a wake held for Ganguzza in Florida, Alexander got to see her eldest daughter's work firsthand. Several families whom Ganguzza counseled came to pay their respects.

Alexander recalled one couple, in particular. They were a fierce-looking pair, especially the woman, Alexander said. Using salty language, this woman told Alexander how much she initially scorned Ganguzza for trying to teach her better ways of dealing with marital stress. Then she said how grateful she was that Ganguzza would not relent.

"She wouldn't leave me alone," the woman said about Ganguzza, "until she got into my heart."
Perhaps it was a tragic twist of fate that brought Nicole Ganguzza to Jay Blanchard Park in Orlando, Fla., two months ago.

The Passaic County native's murder remains unsolved, but on Friday Ganguzza's mother described what drew her daughter, an avid jogger, to the park on the day she died.

Days earlier, Ganguzza and her husband, Brendan, went cycling there for the first time. An idyllic green space in the midst of the hectic Florida suburb where the couple lived, the park brought to Ganguzza's mind memories of her childhood and of her years at Clifton High School, where she was captain of the cross-country team.

"It reminded her so much of the Garret Mountain," her mother, Eileen Alexander, said Friday, speaking of the nature preserve where Ganguzza, 26, ran as a teenager. "That's why she went running there that day."

That day was June 10. Ganguzza finished a late afternoon class at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, where she attended graduate school for family counseling, and called her husband to say she was going to jog the trail they had discovered.

Brendan, a Wayne native, never heard from his wife again.

Ganguzza's body was discovered the next day. Whoever killed her, police surmised, pulled her body some 50 feet off the trail, through a thicket of briars and left her out of sight from any passers-by.

The slaying of a bright and beloved young woman sparked a high-profile investigation. On Friday, investigators remained relatively tight-lipped in hopes they could find the killer. They refused to discuss the manner of her death. They would not confirm or deny any presumed connections between Ganguzza's killer and a rapist believed responsible for several attacks in and around the area of Orlando where Ganguzza was killed.

Of the four persons of interest named by the Orange County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office, which is investigating the killing, three have come forward and cleared their names, said Deputy Sheriff Carlos Padilla, a department spokesman. A fourth man hasn't been located, he said.

Meanwhile, two more women have been attacked not far from where Ganguzza was killed.

On July 7, a 25-year-old woman walking her dog was pulled into the woods by a man who ripped part of her shirt. She escaped and ran screaming for help. Then, on Wednesday, a 32-year-old woman stepped off her bike for a drink of water, only to have a stranger drag her into the woods. She, too, escaped.

Police said this week's attack appeared unrelated to Ganguzza's death or any of the rapes or attempted rapes in Orlando's Eastside, but news of the attacks kept the city uneasy about a killer on the loose.

Ganguzza's mother, who still lives in Clifton, said she is confident authorities are continuing to track every lead to catch the killer. One homicide detective has been assigned full time to the case, Padilla said.

As the police do their job, Ganguzza's family is trying to keep the young women's dream alive: providing mental heath care to society's neediest people.

"She always felt," said Alexander, 46, "the people who couldn't afford mental health care were the ones who needed it the most."

Her family established the Nicole P. Ganguzza Family Memorial Foundation in her honor and to raise money to benefit such people. The foundation is raising capital through donations and upcoming benefits, including dodge ball and golf tournaments to be held in Orlando.

As a worker with the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services and later as a student at the University of Central Florida's Marriage and Family Research Institute, Ganguzza earned high honors for her ability to communicate with emotionally distant or troubled children and families, her mother said. She had infinite patience and was unspeakably passionate for the work, Alexander said. Her daughter would often call her to celebrate her latest breakthrough with a client.

At a wake held for Ganguzza in Florida, Alexander got to see her eldest daughter's work firsthand. Several families whom Ganguzza counseled came to pay their respects.

Alexander recalled one couple, in particular. They were a fierce-looking pair, especially the woman, Alexander said. Using salty language, this woman told Alexander how much she initially scorned Ganguzza for trying to teach her better ways of dealing with marital stress. Then she said how grateful she was that Ganguzza would not relent.

"She wouldn't leave me alone," the woman said about Ganguzza, "until she got into my heart."

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joe says: i hope and pray they get the dirt bag who did this horrible crime.this young lady did not deserve this.she sounds like a beautiful person.todays forensic science should find the piece of sh... who did this.my prayers go out to the familiy.god bless.JOEY D.

 
 
 

Interesting -- and sad, 2NJ.

I went to high school in Bergen County (early 70's) with several "Ganguzza's" -- which is why this sad story caught my attention. At the time, the family owned (among other things) the 'Valley Fair" in Woodcliff Lake.

And of course I pray this didn't happen to their family.

But then again,  I pray that this doesn't happen to ANY family  ::MonkeyWaa::

Wednesday, September 3,2008
A legacy lives on

Brendan Ganguzza lives only for his wife’s dream — to provide mental health treatment to the underpriviledged. Nicole Ganguzza was killed June 10 while taking an evening jog at Jay Blanchard Park in East Orlando. Months later, Brendan has no answers from the police investigation and a gaping hole in his heart.

He started the Nicole P. Ganguzza Foundation to fund his wife’s vision. “I knew from the beginning that I would do something for Nicole,” he said. “She made such great sacrifices for my dreams. I can never repay my wife for everything she has done for me, but I can do this.”

In 2005 Nicole and Brendan, who were engaged to be married at the time, moved to Orlando where he opened a business. Nicole had a great job and had been accepted into a masters program where they lived in New Jersey, but she gave it up for him. “All she wanted was to be a family,” he said. Nicole, 26, was a graduate student at University of Central Florida, completing her masters in Mental Health Counseling and a Marriage and Family Certificate.

In its short life, the foundation has gained great momentum. FUSE Orlando, a new church for young people in East Orlando, started registering teams last week for a charity dodgeball tournament on Sept. 27 in the Orlando Baptist Church gymnasium on South Semoran Boulevard. Another organization is hosting a charity run this October, and the foundation is holding a charity golf tournament at Eagle Creek Golf Course on Nov. 7. UCF, too, is planning a charity walk next March.

After Nicole’s death, Brendan, 31, gave up his business to focus on her foundation. A counselor at her internship, Keri Nola, told him that Nicole wanted to open her own practice and put aside some money toward helping less fortunate people receive counseling. “It did not surprise me one bit,” he said.

“If you spent five minutes with my wife you would know how different she was because her spirit always came through. “I still have pictures and memories but I feel this is the only thing she and I can do together — it is all I have at this point. I have to accept that.” The UCF Marriage and Family Research Institute where Nicole worked as a marriage educator for almost one year will dedicate Nicole’s favorite room — one filled with red leather love seats — to her.

Although she was young, Carlson said Nicole was a very gifted counselor. Her natural transparency and genuine concern allowed even the most private clients to open their hearts to her. Many of the older, more experienced counselors looked up to her. “Dedicating a classroom to her helps us aspire to open up to couples as much as she did. It is a way for us to help her legacy live on and let her family know the impact she had on us and the couples she worked with,” said Ryan Carlson, assistant director for the Institute.

The night Nicole’s body was discovered in the woods near the jogging path at Blanchard Park, the couples Nicole counseled came to the institute and cried together, sharing stories about their beloved counselor. “They came here because they said they could visualize Nicole here. They wanted to see her smile — Nicole was always smiling,” Carlson said. ”Nicole managed to make her way into their hearts in a very short time.

One client had shared that she had trouble trusting people but that she was able to let Nicole in.” UCF plans to award Nicole her masters degree this December when she was scheduled to graduate. Nicole’s memorial fund has raised several thousand dollars which will be transferred to the foundation.

Nola said the goal is to raise more than $100,000 before the year’s end to help reach the foundation’s ultimate goal of opening its own counseling center. Eventually Brendan hopes to offer something specifically for needy children — Nicole’s passion. “Her thing was that no matter what, if there was a child in need she was going to help that child,” he said.

“When we lived in Jersey, she used to go to really not nice places to help children — she loved offering them hope no matter how bleak things seemed. It made her love counseling even more.” Fuse’s dodgeball tournament has already raised more than $5,000 through private sponsorship and hopes to raise another $7,000 by gaining additional sponsors and by signing on their goal of 70 dodgeball teams.

Teams can register at www.fuseorlando.org/dodgeball. Some of the sponsors are friends of the Ganguzza family, others were familiar with the tragedy and wanted to help and more were simply moved when they heard the mission of the foundation. “I do mission work — providing eye glasses and exams in different countries — so when I heard about this woman who wanted to help others and what happened to her, I was moved,” said Dr. Vijay Nair of Waterford Lakes Eye Care Center. “It is the least I can do.”

Carlson said the number of people Nicole helped in her short lifetime will never be known but probably will span generations to come. “Her death has challenged me to be as genuine as she was,” he said. “I do not think we will ever really understand the impact she had on so many lives. I know she changed me, the couples she worked with and their families.”

http://www.eosun.com/article-560-a-legacy-lives-on.html

Arrested Man Connected To East Side Rapes?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 7:38:26 AM
Tools: E-mail | Print | Feedback | 
 
View LargerORLANDO -- Investigators are trying to figure out if a man arrested in Brevard County could be connected to a series of rapes on the east side.

Franklin Canales-Ordoñez, 30, was taken into custody this weekend after allegedly attacking and attempting to rape a woman in Merritt Island.

Brevard County investigators contacted Orange County after noticing similarities to several other attacks in the area.

The so-called East Side rapist is wanted for a series of attacks, including the murder of University of Central Florida graduate student Nicole Ganguzza this summer, and an attack on a deaf woman along Goldenrod Road.

Orange County deputies reportedly said they would ask for a DNA sample on Canales-Ordoñez, who they believe is in the country illegally.

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2008/9/22/arrested_man_connected_to_east_side_rapes.html

Orlando Sentinel (Florida)
 
October 2, 2008 Thursday
 
Putting a life back together
 
Away from the spotlight, Brendan Ganguzza is working to build a dream from a nightmare.

His life unraveled June 10 when his wife, Nicole Ganguzza, a University of Central Florida graduate student, was slain after going for an evening run on a popular east Orange County trail. A massive search for the killer followed, as did a flurry of local and national media attention.

Yet the crime has not been solved.

Nicole, 26, was studying to be a mental-health counselor, and would have helped save struggling marriages and families, her husband said. She would have opened a private practice and maybe even a counseling center, if they found the money.

She would have brought so much to the world, he says. So as the investigation of her slaying continues, he and others work to build a charitable foundation in her honor that will give counseling to those who can't afford it.

"She would have been unstoppable," said Brendan, 31. He hopes he can be unstoppable, too.

Searchers found Nicole Ganguzza's body June 11 near the Little Econ Greenway, one day after her husband reported her missing. Her killer likely planned carefully, collecting information on the park's terrain and crowds to find just the right time and place to attack, Orange County homicide Sgt. Allen Lee said.

The popular running and biking trail passes through Jay Blanchard Park. Ordinarily, hundreds of potential witnesses would have crowded the area, but two storms passed over the crime scene that day -- one just before her 6 p.m. run, and one afterward, so the park was nearly empty, Lee said.

Searching for clues

Fewer than five people have come forward to say they were inside the park at the time of her attack.

A Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent and two detectives continue to work on the case full time, and Lee said their efforts draw on new technology and other resources he would not disclose out of concern for the investigation.

Detectives are awaiting results from laboratory tests for trace evidence such as hair or fibers, he said.

"We want this case solved," Lee said. "You don't know how bad."

Crime analysts created a searchable database of leads. A panel from the FBI reviewed the agency's approach to the investigation, and detectives asked the Orlando Police Department for advice because of their experience dealing with another high-profile disappearance -- that of 24-year-old Jennifer Kesse in January 2006.

A special command center displaying photos of the scene and other information remains operational, Lee said.

"We walk in there every day and look at the pictures over there," Lee said.

Focus on the foundation

A collage of photos from his 2007 wedding sits on Brendan Ganguzza's kitchen table. Nearby is a portrait of him and Nicole inside a silver frame. There are pamphlets for the Nicole P. Ganguzza foundation, too. During a recent interview at his home, he pointed out a logo for the group that features her silhouette with wings drawn from her back, as if she were a butterfly.

Brendan said he takes the days as they come. He gave up his window-tinting business to focus on getting his life back together. If he has trouble sleeping at night, he'll stay in bed late. He tries to spend at least one or two hours a day doing work in honor of his wife's memory.

"I focus on the foundation. I focus on doing well," he said.

And he tries to follow Nicole's example. Since their first date, when she was nervous, spilled her drink, talked too fast, and stopped to change the tire of a stranded motorist she saw on her drive home, he knew she was special. She had the spunk to do anything and everything.

"My wife would have done so much for so many," he said.

Brendan works quickly, as Nicole would have done. In the 3 1/2 months since Nicole's death, he and two of her friends have built a foundation that's in the middle of filing for nonprofit status. So far, he and others have organized a dodgeball tournament, a run Oct. 19 at the University of Central Florida, and a Nov. 7 golf tournament.

Looking back, Brendan realizes he's stronger than he thought, he said. He thanks Nicole for that.

"I feel that I love her more every day."
 
http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100020825&docId=l:861589403&start=1

http://www.nicoleganguzza.com/

Sheriff's Office Dismisses Reports They Have Suspect In Ganguzza Murder
Tuesday, December 2, 2008

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Late Tuesday afternoon, the Orange County Sheriff's Office dismissed reports they have identified a suspect in the murder of Nicole Ganguzza and were using DNA testing to get a match.

The University of Central Florida grad student was kidnapped and sexually assaulted at Blanchard Park last June.

Investigators told Eyewitness News on Tuesday they still believe they'll solve the crime, but reports in other media that they have identified a suspect are false.
http://www.wftv.com/news/18189650/detail.html

NICOLE GANGUZZA
Video: Tree Planted To Honor Ganguzza
Video: Brendan Ganguzza Starts Nicole Ganguzza Foundation
Video: Police Ask Public For Help With Ganguzza Case
Video: Memorial Service Held
Video: Family Pleads For Help
Video: Ganguzza Funeral Today
Video: Teen Appears In Court
Video: Teen Faces Questioning
Video: Family Speaks
Video: Investigators Comb For Clues
Video: Joggers Worried
Video: Ganguzza's Body Found
Video: Vigil Held At UCF

Slideshow: Case Timeline
Profile: About Ganguzza

The above links can be found here>>
http://www.wesh.com/news/16586605/detail.html

photos

mmmmmmm   :2thinky: 

Ganguzza Investigation Nets Suspect
Investigators Reveal Information About Man They Believe May Have Killed Ganguzza

POSTED: 6:24 am EST December 3, 2008
UPDATED: 5:23 pm EST December 3, 2008


ORLANDO, Fla. -- Investigators at the Orange County Sheriff's Office said they have collected DNA from at least one suspect in the slaying of Nicole Ganguzza.

Authorities said they're currently awaiting results of lab tests.

The 26-year-old University of Central Florida graduate student was abducted, sexually assaulted and killed while jogging at Blanchard Park on the evening of June 10.

Officials would not yet identify the suspect in the case.

Investigators said the individual is likely someone who may have killed more than once and could still be in the area.

Investigators said they've collected DNA from people who live near the park and worked there. Detectives are focusing on one suspect in particular because multiple sources told WESH 2 News that he matches a psychological profile done on the killer.

In addition, this suspect lived in close proximity to the park and knew it well. Also, WESH 2 News has learned of other circumstantial evidence investigators asked us not to reveal, because it could harm their case.

Women who exercise at Blanchard Park said they're glad to know investigators are closing in on a suspect in the case.

Since Ganguzza's death over the summer, some women have stopped working out along the park's trail. Many said they're exercising inside the Blanchard Park YMCA instead, and they're also taking kickboxing classes to learn self-defense.

Women said they're relieved to hear there may soon be an arrest.

"I wondered about that, you know, what was happening. (Was there) any follow-up to that? We hadn't heard anything, so, yes, that's good news to hear," Gloria Magee said.

"I've just stayed away from that area, so I'm very glad to hear you say that somebody is close to being caught," Mechele Petrie said.

"I was warned by my mother not to come out here so early. I should wait until midday when people are here," first-time park visitor Nicole Lopez said.

Women at Blanchard Park said an arrest would bring closure not just to the Ganguzza family, but also to the entire area around the park.

 To comment on this story, send an e-mail to Eryka Washington.

http://www.wesh.com/news/18193642/detail.html

Persons Being Questioned In Nicole Ganguzza Murder
Posted: 9:47 am EST March 4, 2009
Updated: 12:49 pm EST March 4, 2009

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Residents of a home in east Orange County were being questioned Wednesday in connection with the murder of Nicole Ganguzza nearly one year ago in nearby Blanchard Park.

"This case has been a priority on our list," said Susan Soto, Orange County Sheriff's Office, while talking to media Wednesday morning (watch raw video).

Eyewitness News has learned no arrests have been made and no one has been taken into custody.

"Nobody's in custody at this time," Soto said.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHERIFF'S OFFICE: Raw Video Of Update
AT THE SCENE: Aerial Images | Raw Video
RAW INTERVIEW: Victim's Husband Talks To WFTV
NICOLE GANGUZZA: Childhood Photos | Wedding Images
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Nicole Ganguzza disappeared in June 2008 while jogging in Blanchard Park in Orange County. She was murdered June 10 and her body was found the next day near the Little Econ River inside the park. Her death has been connected to a suspect dubbed the East Side Rapist.

The sheriff's office told Eyewitness News that at least two residents of a mobile home were being questioned in connection with the murder investigation.

"Anyone that does live in this residence is going to be questioned," Soto said, but she wasn't able to confirm exactly how many people were being questioned.

A search warrant was served Wednesday morning at mobile home #22 in the Colonial Village mobile home park along Harrell Road in east Orange County (see map). Skywitness was over the scene and detectives could be seen removing bags of evidence from the home (aerial images | raw video). Residents said the people who live there have lived in #22 for some time and considered them quiet.

"At this time they are not disclosing anything about the search warrant," Soto said. "The search warrant will be sealed."

The entire mobile home park was closed down as detectives investigated, but was reopened to the public by 12:30pm. The mobile home park is only a short distance from a bike path that gives direct access to Blanchard Park.

"They've had some information that obviously led them here," Soto said.

One person questioned, according to neighbors, is a county employee who works at the park. County officials told Eyewitness News they are investigating that possible connection.


NICOLE'S HUSBAND INFORMED OF DEVELOPMENTS

The husband of Nicole Ganguzza was told Wednesday about the new developments. Brendan Ganguzza told Eyewitness News he's being cautious.

Brendan's life has been a self-described rollercoaster ride since his wife's body was discovered at Blanchard Park in June 2008. For more than eight months, Brendan has mourned his wife Nicole.

Nicole was murdered during her jog through Blanchard Park last summer and investigators believe her murder may be linked to a string of attacks on other women in east Orange County.

Wednesday morning, Brendan was contacted by the Orange County Sheriff's Office about a possible lead in the case.

In a telephone conversation, Brendan told WFTV reporter Melonie Holt that, although he would like to see a resolution, it's too early to get worked up. He is waiting for some concrete word that it is the break they've needed in the case.

Even as Orange County investigators searched for Nicole's killer, Brendan launched the Nicole P. Ganguzza Foundation to provide mental health counseling to those who otherwise would not get it. Nicole was studying to be a therapist. It's Brendan's living tribute to his wife.

The attacks connected to the East-Side Rapist are in different counties, but it's not much of a stretch to connect them. A July 2008 attack took place along Goldenrod Road north of Curry Ford Road. Nicole Ganguzza was murdered at Blanchard Park the month before. An October 2006 attack was along Econ south of University and the January 2007 attack was on Dean Road near Rivers Trail. (See Rapes On Map)
http://www.wftv.com/news/18851339/detail.html

Check Blink's latest post:

http://blinkoncrime.com/2009/03/04/nicole-ganguzza-murder-break-in-the-case-evidence-seized-former-orange-c/

Klaas, can you post the image you created for that piece

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/osceola_news/061009ganguzza_cafe
Cafeteria being named
after slain jogger
Updated: Wednesday, 10 Jun 2009, 1:09 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 10 Jun 2009, 1:05 PM EDT

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The Children Advocacy Center for Osceola County Inc. is celebrating their grand opening June 10, 2009 and will dedicate their new cafeteria in loving memory of Nicole P. Ganguzza who was murdered a year ago today.

The celebration will be held at 704 Generation Point in Kissimmee from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Ganguzza dedicated much of her young life to serving the community as a counselor and friend providing assistance for those with special needs. The cafeteria, which will be called Nikis Cafe, will honor her life.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_homicide/2009/06/widower-marks-one-year-anniversary-of-joggers-slaying.html
Widower marks one year anniversary of jogger's slaying
posted by Willoughby Mariano on Jun 10, 2009 4:47:16 PM
Brendan Ganguzza is marking one year since the slaying of his wife, Nicole Ganguzza, today. She was killed while jogging at Jay Blanchard Park in east Orange County, and her case remains unsolved.

This morning, the Children's Advocacy Center for Osceola County officially opened its new office, which has a cafe named in Nicole Ganguzza's honor. The University of Central Florida student was studying to be a mental health counselor at the time of her death, and had worked at the CAC.

Also, a letter of thanks from Brendan Ganguzza was posted on the web page of the Nicole P. Ganguzza foundation, which aims to honor her life by funding efforts to improve mental health. 

<snip>

Cops Keep Watch On Suspects In Jogger Death
Posted: 5:47 pm EDT July 6, 2009
Updated: 6:07 pm EDT July 6, 2009

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Detectives are looking at two possible suspects in the murder of an Orange County jogger.

Nicole Ganguzza was found dead in Blanchard Park more than one year ago. Sources told Eyewitness News that a lack of DNA evidence may mean that no one will ever be arrested.

One of the suspects is former Orange County parks worker, Bruce Trebian, whose name surfaced four months ago when investigators searched his East Orange County home.

Eyewitness News also learned Monday that Trebian's home has been sold. Trebian is a former engineer who once owned his own company and is the son of a Michigan law enforcement officer. Trebian's family once owned property on the Gulf coast of Florida, but they live in Michigan.

Brendan Ganguzza says the only way he's been able to live with what has happened is to channel his wife Nicole's positive, optimistic attitude. Brendan says he's hopeful an arrest will be made, but says he's come to grips with the possibility that her killer may never be caught.

It's been more than one year since Nicole was murdered during an evening jog at Blanchard Park in Orange County. Investigators say they are seeking state-of-the-art labs to work with the evidence that they have and they are still waiting for test results.

Detectives also say that Trebian and another suspect are being watched. However, the identity of the other suspect has not been released.

http://www.wftv.com/countybycounty/19970898/detail.html

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/crime/os-orange-county-stabbing-20100425,0,886555.story

Woman stabbed several times in Jay Blanchard Park

By Gary Taylor, Orlando Sentinel

April 25, 2010

A woman was stabbed several times Saturday night at Jay Blanchard Park on Dean Road in east Orange County.

Orange County Fire Rescue received the call just before 11 p.m. and treated the woman at the scene before transporting her to Orlando Regional Medical Center.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office is investigating the stabbing.

The stabbing occurred at the same park where UCF student Nicole Ganguzza went jogging and was found slain several years ago.

No other information was immediately available.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/23470448/detail.html
Accused Rapist's DNA To Be Analyzed In Other Cases
Orange County Deputies Send DNA To Lab

POSTED: Thursday, May 6, 2010
UPDATED: 6:23 am EDT May 6, 2010
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- An Orange County man accused of carjacking, raping and robbing a 19-year-old woman is being looked at for possible ties to other crimes.

Deputies tell Local 6 that they took DNA samples from 41-year-old Steve Cahanding and will run them through a national database to see if they match up to any unsolved cases.

Tuesday afternoon, investigators say Cahanding ambushed the woman at a Target store on University and Goldenrod. Local 6 spoke to women who shop there about the possibility he could be linked to other crimes.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he has probably done similar crimes or he was involved in something like this before," shopper Meenakshi Balakrishnah said.

Deputies said they are also looking at Cahanding to see if he could be linked to the Nicole Ganguzza case. The 26-year-old jogger was murdered in a sexually motivated attack back in 2008 in East Orange County.

"They would have to. I mean it's in the same area and I mean it's a similar type of crime so of course they'd wanna look into that," shopper Kimberly Van Meter said.

Cahanding allegedly forced his victim to withdraw money from several banks. According to his arrest report, the victim said, "You got your money. Now let me go."

But deputies said the suspect took her to his apartment, raped her, then demanded that she wash away evidence. The report says he told her,"I didn't mean to rape you. It just happened."

Cahanding is being held in the Orange County Jail without bond.

This one still bugs the crap out of me.........  ::MonkeyNoNo:: :2thinky:

Me too.

Let's just hope that LE is keeping tabs on these guys even when they move out of state.
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/2-new-suspects-in-blanchard-joggers-murder/nJ5Gp/
2 New Suspects In Blanchard Jogger's Murder
Updated: 6:36 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, 2010

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-06-11/news/os-nicole-ganguzza-killed-four-years-20120611_1_nicole-ganguzza-jogging-path-mobile-home
Four years later, killer on the loose
3:36 p.m. EST, June 11, 2012