More than 40 years after her tragic death, a woman has come forward as her father faces murder charges for the killing of her mother.
Alison Galvani, now a university professor, was just around five years old when her mother, Nancy Galvani, was brutally murdered in 1982.
Last month, a breakthrough in the decades-old case led to the arrest of Patrick Galvani, Alison’s father, who is now 81 years old. He is accused of using Alison as bait to lure Nancy before allegedly killing his estranged wife.
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Nancy’s body was discovered in August 1982, floating inside a sleeping bag near the San Mateo Bridge in Foster City, California, located between San Francisco and San Jose. Despite repeated investigations over the years, the case remained unsolved for decades.
The Foster City Police Department announced in November that Patrick Galvani was taken into custody and charged with Nancy’s murder, sparking renewed hope for justice.
In an emotional interview with the Los Angeles Times, Alison expressed gratitude towards law enforcement for their dedication. “With an extraordinary combination of compassion and resolve, they are working tirelessly to ensure that light is shone upon even the darkest of cases,” she said.
Alison revealed she has long feared that her father “used me as bait to lure my mother to her death.” This painful suspicion has haunted her for decades. In 2008, she confronted Patrick Galvani, telling him, “You killed my mother.” He allegedly responded, “It wasn’t my fault.”
During the initial investigation, Patrick was considered a suspect but was never charged due to insufficient evidence and lack of witnesses. His defense team maintained he was innocent, citing a passed polygraph test and suggesting Nancy suffered from mental illness.
Patrick Galvani’s attorney, Douglas Horngrad, stated, “This murder charge was filed against him years ago and the case was dismissed for lack of evidence. As I understand it, the evidence is the same, and we believe the outcome will be the same. Mr. Galvani will be exonerated again.”
Prosecutors disagree, asserting they now possess enough evidence to secure a conviction.
Patrick Galvani remains held without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on January 15.