Pocono News Section

Family of Murder Victims Talks With Eyewitness News

Family of Murder Victims Talks With Eyewitness News - Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 4:09PM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 @ 04:09pm EDT
POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY- The Pucci home in Pottsville is filled with photographs of a very close-knit family.

The center of that love was 50-year-old Sandra Pucci.

Her only son, James, is now trying to come to grips with the loss of his best friend, his mom.

Police said she was shot to death by her estranged boyfriend, Frank Manganiello.

Police said he shot her in the parking lot near the store where she worked.

Then he drove to a nearby church and killed himself on the altar.

Pucci's son James Pucci Junior said, "Most of it was shock. The biggest thing was shock. I thought someone was pulling my leg. Honestly, I didn't believe it at first. Oh my god what do I do."

Pucci and the rest of the family want the world to know his mother was a special person.

Pucci said, "She was a woman who always helped people out whoever needed it. She loved baking, almost obsessed with it. She was never afraid to hand out recipes. She made the best chocolate chip cookies."

James' wife just gave birth to a little Jimmy. His mom was ecstatic.

Pucci said, "My son is going to be one month old tomorrow. She was in the delivery room when my wife had him. She said that was the best moment of her life!"