Medical Examiner Rules Death a Homicide in Grosse Pointe Park

The death of a 35-year-old Grosse Pointe Park woman found dead inside a duplex on Wayburn Street Thursday has been ruled a homicide by the Wayne County Medical Examiner's office, county spokeswoman Sarah Bazzi said. 

The autopsy was performed Friday morning. Grosse Pointe Park detectives were present for the autopsy, Park Capt. David Loch said.

Additionally, the manner of death was ligature strangulation, Bazzi said.

This form of strangulation means her airway was cut off at her neck without being suspended. 

Officials have not released the woman's identity as they are still working to have family confirm it, Bazzi said Friday afternoon via email. 

She has been identified by media as Sabrina Gianino. She worked as a receptionist at Platz Animal Hospital and was well liked by many pet owners in the area, who have shown their sorrow on social media. 

The investigation is ongoing with Grosse Pointe Park Department of Public Safety. Also involved are the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office and the Michigan State Police crime lab. 

Loch told Patch early Friday that there has not been a history of calls to the duplex where Gianino was found. Park Public Safety Director David Hiller said the 911 call was from someone asking for assistance. He declined to be more specific due to the details of the investigation. 

This is the second homicide by strangulation in Grosse Pointe Park in about 18 months. The last was the well-known case of Jane Bashara, who died at the behest of her husband at the hands of Joe Gentz, a handyman who worked for Bob Bashara. 

The community is an otherwise quiet, low-crime area bordering Detroit and is a place where nearly everyone knows each other.