Nicholas Leonard Ivey, 29, confessed to killing his 76-year-old grandmother, Patricia Dibella, by snapping her neck, punching, and stomping her head after she allegedly poked him with a kitchen knife on February 1, 2026.
Incident Details
Indian River County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a welfare check at Dibella’s Vero Beach apartment on February 2, finding her body on the bed; Ivey, found outside, admitted the killing en route to jail and in a post-Miranda interview. Standing 6’1″ and 350 lbs, he claimed self-defense, cleaned blood with towels (later washed), moved the body, hid the knife, then used her car, credit cards, and ID to buy beer and cigarettes without permission.
Charges and Status
Ivey faces grand theft auto, unlawful/fraudulent credit card use, and criminal ID use on $400,000 bond; murder investigation continues pending autopsy, with arraignment set for March 10. His father prompted the 911 call after Ivey confessed to him first.
Aftermath
No murder charges filed yet as forensics process the scene and Nissan sedan; Ivey wore the same blood-washed sweatshirt during confession. The case highlights domestic violence risks, with ongoing probes into potential mental health factors.
