SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A family in our area is finally feeling closure Wednesday after 11 years of heartache.
The sentencing was decided for a Lackawanna County man who killed their daughter in 2013.
The case that began over a decade ago has finally ended.
Bruno Rocuba of Lackawanna County was sentenced to no less than 12 years and no more than 40 years.
A hug of relief between grieving family members: Justice finally served for a loved one who was murdered 11 years ago.
"It's really emotional to do something like this," said Joanne Swinney.
Swinney is the sister of Melissa Rocuba, who was shot and killed in 2013.
"This never should have happened. Could've just divorced her, not this," Melissa's father Joe White explained.
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On Wednesday, 11 years later, her killer, her husband Bruno Rocuba, was sentenced to prison for her death.
"His lies brought him nine years of freedom while Melissa's loved ones suffered," Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell stated.
It all began on a Sunday back in 2013 when Rocuba called 911 and said he needed help because his wife sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
He told police he and Melissa were fighting and the gun went off, but that story changed many times.
Investigators say the second lie he told was they were playing around with the gun and planned on going shooting when he pulled the trigger and it went through his hand.
"But the truth was this was not the first time he pulled a gun on his wife," Powell explained.
According to what Rocuba's daughter, Chelsea, her father threatened her mom with a gun several times prior to the deadly shooting.
"It's amazing how one person can be a twister and destroy your family but we came together in the end and we are all here," Swinney said.
"He was emotionally and physically abusive and lied to as to how the murder had occurred," Powell added.
Forensic evidence indicated there was an altercation and Rocuba fired a gun at the top left portion of Melissa's head, killing her.
"He took away my firstborn. I don't know if I'll ever get over this," White said.
Melissa's family wants her memory to live on forever and for this tragic incident to no longer overshadow that.
They say they are forever grateful for the investigation efforts of the state police and, in particular, Corporal Greg Allen.
