Family Rallies to Solve Grisly Murder
Aug. 21, 2004 -- On Nov. 23, 1998, the strangled, naked body of Janette Piro was discovered crammed into a 4-foot freezer in her garage. There were no signs of struggle or forced entry into the home. There were also no signs of her husband, Chris Benedetto.
The gruesome slaying and the sudden disappearance of the victim's husband stunned investigators. Violent crime is uncommon in their affluent community, Singer Island, in Florida's Palm Beach County.
The local rumor mill began churning quickly, and some were ready to cast the absent husband in the role of villain. "We think he had a girlfriend, and I'll bet you he did it," one neighbor said.
Benedetto, 42, and Piro, 45, were living well on Singer Island, but they didn't start out wealthy.
The couple met while renovating Benedetto's sister's house in New York. Benedetto was the contractor and Piro was the designer.
"I think it was an instant attraction there," said Benedetto's brother Michael.
Enjoying the Finer Things in Life
But while the two were dating, Benedetto almost died from a fall at work. Piro nursed him back to health and the couple eloped. Their lives radically changed again when they became instant millionaires after Benedetto received a huge settlement as a result of his injuries. With their new fortune, they set out to live the good life, pursuing their passions in Florida.
They were able to afford some of the finer things in life like expensive wines and designer jewelry. Benedetto was an avid fisherman.
The day the couple disappeared had begun like so many others. Allegedly, Benedetto got up early, jumped on his boat and headed off for a day of fishing. Piro relaxed with friends at a spa, and they had plans to meet up with their husbands and all go out for dinner.
But the house was dark and silent. Four days went by, no phone call, no apology, no sign of Piro or Benedetto.
"It continued like this until we called the family on Sunday," said neighbor Karen Nicholson.
