A criminal named Annamaria Gana was sentenced to 40 years in prison for shooting her husband dead in front of their children in 2011.
Investigation Discovery’s Evil Lives Here: Shadows of Death: Mother’s Day Murder tells the horrifying story of how Annamaria killed her husband Antonio on Mother’s Day in 2011.
Annamaria Gana, whereabouts in custody?
In April 2013, a jury found 43-year-old Annamaria guilty on two counts of attempted murder and first-degree murder. They also learned that she had committed the extraordinary act of killing someone while she was waiting and they confirmed the validity of the clear allegations regarding use of a firearm that caused serious damage and death.
Annamaria Gana is currently serving her sentence at the Chino, Riverside County, California Institution for Women.
In June 2013, Annamaria’s first-degree murder conviction was reduced to a second-degree murder conviction because the possibility of murder by ambushes was ruled out. She claimed she was ashamed of what she did and that she acted out of anger and depression.
Christina Gana Antonio Gana was murdered and she also tried to kill her sons.
On May 8, 2011, Annamaria and her children celebrated Mother’s Day. The whole family attended and had a great time. Then she retired to her bedroom to relax. She had drawn a revolver and fired a shot into the ceiling, officers later found out. Antonio, the children and others rushed to the crime scene to investigate.
Then Annamaria started shooting at Antonio, hitting him in the chest. He was the first person to enter the bedroom. Then, as Annamaria chased the children away, she shot Tony in the arm. He somehow managed to get out of the house so he could call 911.
Photographs of Annamaria Gana, her late husband Antonio Gana and their two sons
Alfonso took the gun from his mother when she tried to kill herself on the head. However, the bullet just missed her neck. Alfonso then grabbed the gun and ran outside. Annamaria stood still and stared off into the distance when police found her with Antonio. When questioned by a deputy sheriff, she confessed to shooting Antonio.
What happened to Annamaria Gana?
According to records, Annamaria is still being held at the California Institution for Women in Chino, Riverside County. She will be eligible for parole in 2036. She admitted that her actions were wrong, but that her medical issues drove her insane to commit such a horrific crime.
The defense claimed Annamaria experienced delirium, psychosis and sadness as a result of her cancer treatment during her 2013 trial. Annamaria was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, requiring a double mastectomy. As part of her treatment, she received chemotherapy and radiation.
She also took medication to help her sleep. Annamaria told police that her recent stress was due to her unsuccessful business dealings. She discovered that she had been contemplating suicide for several weeks and planned to kill her family first.
After more than ten years in the military, Antonio Potenciano Gana left the army. He also served as General Manager at the island nation’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Antonio and Annamaria first met while working in the Philippines in 1991.
The couple’s two children were named Tony and Alfonso. Around 2007, following Antonio’s retirement, the family moved to Tustin, California. They acquired a UPS mail center franchise there, which was their main source of income.