From: jcs
In mid-2018, 29-year-old Grant Amato was unemployed and living rent-free in his parents’ guest house in Chuliota, Florida [00:00:00]. He had never lived on his own and had recently been kicked out of anesthesiology school for lack of attendance, in addition to being fired from a nursing job for stealing medication [00:00:10]. Around this time, he began experimenting with online cam sites [00:00:19].
Development of the Addiction
Online cam sites differ from regular porn sites by being interactive, allowing users to solicit live performances from models for money [00:00:23]. Using his brother’s credit card, Grant browsed multiple models [00:00:37]. Forensics later discovered that on June 5th, he connected with a performer known as Sylvie [00:00:43].
Over the following six months, Grant spent over 60,000 from his brother’s credit card and took out a $65,000 loan on the house [00:01:02].
Family Intervention and Rehabilitation
When his family discovered the extent of his spending, they chose not to call the police [00:01:08]. Instead, Grant was sent to a behavioral rehabilitation facility specializing in online porn addiction and rehabilitation [00:01:10]. This facility, Cornerstone in Fort Lauderdale, was attended from December 22nd to January 4th [00:13:40], costing $15,000 paid for by his brother Cody [00:17:46]. Grant initially did not agree to go [00:13:54].
At the facility, therapists and psychiatrists analyzed his situation, concluding that it was an “isolated event” caused by being out of work and experiencing PTSD from a previous arrest [00:17:21]. They determined he did not need medication [00:17:24].
Relapse and Escalation of Conflict
Upon returning from rehab on January 4th, Grant’s father presented him with a two-page list of rules for continued residency, including immediately ceasing all communication with Sylvie [00:01:27]. However, within three weeks, his family discovered he had broken the contract and re-established contact with the model via Twitter [00:01:39].
On January 24th, his father, Chad Amato, confronted Grant, leading to a heated argument that nearly became physical [00:01:47]. Grant was subsequently kicked out of the house [00:01:57].
Murders and Subsequent Actions
The next morning, shortly before 9 AM, police received a call from Cody Amato’s girlfriend when he failed to show up for work [00:02:01]. Upon entering the residence, Chad, Margaret, and Cody Amato were found dead from gunshot wounds to the head [00:02:11].
Grant became the prime suspect due to the prior night’s confrontation and bizarre circumstances [00:02:29]. He was traced to a hotel in Orlando [00:02:38].
Police later proved that Grant had shot his mother, Margaret, in the back of the head while she was at the computer [02:31:34]. He then waited for his father, Chad, and shot him twice in the head as he entered the kitchen [02:31:39]. Cody then received a text from his father’s phone asking him to come home urgently [02:31:45]. Forensics believed Cody was likely pleading for his life before being found with a gunshot wound to the face, lying in the fetal position [02:31:50].
Grant’s brother’s credit card was stolen, and an estimated 30 minutes after Cody’s death, a purchase for $600 was made to a cam site [02:31:58]. This was done by Grant using free Wi-Fi in a Publix supermarket parking lot between midnight and 1 AM [02:32:30]. This demonstrates the role of online activity as evidence in the case.
Interrogation and Lack of Confession
During his interrogation, Grant was not informed of his family’s deaths or the purpose of the interview [03:07:07]. He did not inquire about it [03:13:00]. Detectives attempted various tactics to elicit a murder confession, including:
- Establishing a friendly connection [04:25:00].
- Suggesting an “accident” or “heat of the moment” [04:37:00].
- Appealing to honesty and offering help [04:47:00].
- Implying knowledge of the truth through “eyes” and “body language” [04:03:00].
- Affording justifications for the crime, such as self-defense [04:29:00].
- Emphasizing the irreversible nature of his actions and the limited window for cooperation [04:03:00].
- Highlighting the “embarrassment” and financial strain of his addiction [04:30:00].
Grant continuously denied involvement, maintaining that he didn’t know what happened or that Cody would “take care of it” [05:51:00]. He suggested a shooting between Cody and his father to “protect or help” him [06:13:00].
Grant's Denial
“I genuinely don’t have anything else that I can say about the night or, you know, the periods of time afterwards.” [03:18:00]
Detective's Assessment
“I want to believe you, Grant, but you’re the last person that I could put in that house and I know what happened over the last six months. Who else can I blame? Who how are we going to find out who did this? The [expletive] you did.” [04:27:00]
Grant expressed being “scared” for himself and the outcome of the situation [03:11:00]. He admitted to feeling love for the cam model, which motivated his continued contact [04:50:00].
Trial and Conviction
Grant was arrested nine hours after his interrogation at his hotel [05:30:00]. His trial began on August 12, 2019 [05:32:00].
During the court proceedings, the prosecution highlighted Grant’s “blind obsession” with Sylvie [05:30:00]. A key piece of evidence presented was that at 2:53 AM on January 25th, after leaving his family’s dead bodies, Grant went to a nearby Publix parking lot, accessed their Wi-Fi, and used his dead brother’s checking account to pay $599.99 to access Sylvie’s website at 3:02 AM [05:44:00]. The case was framed around his obsession and “absolute contempt” for those he held responsible for his problems [05:48:00].
Grant Amato was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole [05:55:00]. This case illustrates the devastating impact on victims and families and the severe legal consequences of crime that can arise from unchecked addiction and its resultant conflicts.