DETROIT (WXYZ) — A man convicted of fatally stabbing his girlfriend was sentenced to up to 30 years in prison.
Last May, Daniel Scott Michalak was found naked outside the MGM Grand Casino. Police say he then told a security guard he killed his girlfriend.
Tia Vellucci, 27, was found dead in her room at the hotel. When authorities entered the room, they found Tia's body with multiple stab wounds and a bite to her nose.
Her sister said the two had dated for eight years. Wendy Vellucci, Tia's mother, says the last two years of the couple's relationship had taken its toll on Tia who had showed her mother berating text messages from Michalak.
The family spoke during sentencing.
“Said he was remorseful. Remorseful? Your honor, one, two, three, four, five, seven, eight times stabbed her in the neck, slashed her,” said her father, Peter Vellucci. “Tia should be alive right now with us.”
“I miss Tia, I love her with all my heart," he continued. "He deserves every year you give him.”
Wendy has since vowed to fight domestic violence, and said she was raising money for shelters that assist victims of domestic violence in Wayne and Oakland counties.
The victim’s family set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for a nonprofit organization helping victims of domestic violence.
