"Jekyl and Hyde": Francesco Villi's family describe Vaughan condo shooter as 'abusive'

Francesco "Frank" Villi is being investigated for shooting, killing five people before he was shot himself

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 22, 2022
Jeremy Grimaldi

Family members of Francesco Villi have released a statement about the man that has caused so much pain since he allegedly went on a shooting rampage at the Bellaria Residences complex, killing five people before being gunned down himself by police.

The statement was released by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and expresses the family's emotions following the tragic incident at the complex on Jane Street near Rutherford Road in Maple that left six people, including Villi, dead and another woman in hospital in serious condition.

The statement begins by noting Villi's children, three daughters, have been estranged from him for five years, before asking for their privacy.

"Words cannot begin to express how deeply heartbroken we are for the families affected by this horrific tragedy," the statement reads. "We offer our heartfelt condolences. We are in absolute shock and utter devastation at the events that have transpired. Francesco Villi was a controlling and abusive husband and father.  He has a history of domestic abuse with both the mothers of his children and his daughters.  He had aggressive behaviour and a Jekyl and Hyde type personality. His children tried to have some form of a relationship through the years and many offers of help were continuously denied, leaving them no choice but to cut off ties with him for their own health and wellbeing. We are grieving for the families, and they are in our hearts."

The statement comes after The Toronto Maple Leafs held a minute of silence during Tuesday night's game against The Tampa Bay Lightning. Leafs player Victor Mete lost his maternal grandfather, Vittorio Panza, 79, during the tragedy.

The other victims include Panza's partner Rita Camilleri, 57, Russell Manock, 75, Helen Manock, 71 and Naveed Dada, 59. Camilleri, Russell Manock and Dada were members of the condo board.

Villi had a longstanding dispute with members of the board, claiming noises and vibrations from the 'electrical room' below his condo unit had caused him years of pain and suffering.