Gabrieles requested no funeral services

By KIM KILBRIDE, Tribune Staff Writer

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Philip J. Gabriele (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Jun 16, 2009 at 10:38 AM EST

Story Updated: Jun 16, 2009 at 4:01 PM EST

Philip and Marcella Gabriele left instructions for their best friend indicating they wanted no funeral, no viewing and no services.

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RAW VIDEO: Friend talks about Gabrieles' death

"They were very private people," Susan Manuszak said. "I have a note saying exactly what I’m supposed to do."

The note, penned by Philip Gabriele but representative of both he and his wife’s wishes, Manuszak said, was waiting for her on Monday morning when she arrived at their Granger home to take care of their three cats while they turned themselves in to authorities.

Last week, a federal grand jury returned a 15-count indictment against the couple — he a local ophthalmologist and she his office manager — alleging health care fraud, wire fraud and criminal conspiracy.

In a voice mail message Monday left for Manuszak, Philip Gabriele indicated he was leaving a will and some letters in his Elkhart office, where the couple was later found dead.

Manuszak has yet to see those papers and figures they were taken by police as evidence.

She visited with the couple at their home Sunday and said they were distraught.

Prosecutors were to have frozen all of their bank accounts Monday, Manuszak said, but did it on Friday instead.

"They had no money," she said. "Everything was gone. Everything."

An autopsy conducted Monday on Philip Gabriele indicted he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Marcella Gabriele’s autopsy was to be performed this morning.

As to why the Gabrieles went to their Elkhart office Monday morning, Manuszak said she doesn’t know.

"Their cats were still at the house," she said, referring to the three Persian cats the couple adopted from Manuszak, who is a rescuer of exotic felines. "They wouldn’t have done anything to upset the cats."

Staff writer Kim Kilbride:
kkilbride@sbtinfo.com
(574) 247-7759

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