The victim, Julie Cirella, was to be a flower girl in the wedding of a relative on the day she was killed. She suffered from cerebral palsy, severe asthma and acid reflux. Her body was found in a relative’s basement with the convict, Veronica Cirella, 34, nearby. Veronica has reportedly fed the child candy containing peanut byproduct, knowing the girl was allergic to peanuts.
Veronica, who left a suicide note, was semi-conscious with a cord wrapped around her neck at the time. An autopsy found that Julie died of asphyxiation, and while she may have choked on regurgitated food, the exact details of what happened remain unknown.