Employees, patients gather at vigil for Gabrieles

By TOM MOOR, Tribune Staff Writer

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Gabriele Eye Institute

Jenni Casares, a certified opthamologist assistant who worked for Dr. Philip and Marcella Gabriele for three years, offers her prayers and memories of the couple Tuesday afternoon as the employees and a few patients gathered outside the Gabriele Eye Institute on Cassopolis Road in Elkhart. The couple died in an apparent suicide Monday morning at their Elkhart office. (Tribune Photo/BARBARA ALLISON)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jun 16, 2009 at 1:11 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 16, 2009 at 4:00 PM EST

ELKHART — Several employees and patients of Gabriele Eye Institute gathered Tuesday afternoon at the Elkhart office to mourn the deaths of ophthalmologist Dr. Philip Gabriele and his wife, Marcella.

The Gabrieles were found dead Monday morning in the office at 2216 Cassopolis St. after a friend notified police she had found a suicide note at the couple’s Granger home.

Officials said an autopsy confirmed Philip Gabriele died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. An autopsy on Marcella Gabriele was performed Tuesday.

Last week, a federal grand jury returned a 15-count indictment against the couple, alleging health care fraud, wire fraud and criminal conspiracy.

Employees left flowers, Diet Coke and peanut butter cookies — saying it was Philip Gabriele’s favorite — at the front door of the office.

They then held hands and prayed for the couple, many wiping away tears as they spoke.

"We are sticking together and standing together," said Jenni Casares, an employee. "We will be strong, and you will continue to be in our heads. ... No matter what is being said, we know who they were."

Shelly Coughlin, who acted as the spokeswoman for the employees, said the other offices, in Mishawaka and South Bend, will be open Monday. The Elkhart office is closed indefinitely, Coughlin said.

"He would never want our patients to go without help," she said.

Judith Goodman, of Osceola, credited Gabriele for saving her eyesight.

"He had a lot of empathy for his patients," she said. "He knew I was on a fixed income and helped me out.

"I remember he consoled me when a relative of mine died," Goodman said. "He was young, energetic — I considered him to be like one of my sons."

Meanwhile, WSBT-TV received a letter Tuesday morning, apparently from the Gabrieles, that says, "We are at peace with our decision."

It’s addressed to the couple’s patients, families, friends and "all the people of Michiana" and says, "It is clear to us that our good works here have come to an end." The letter was postmarked June 1, and the return address was simply their Granger home address.

The package also contains line-by-line discussions, on their attorney’s letterhead, of the assistant U.S. attorney’s office addressing allegations against the couple.

Coughlin confirmed at the vigil that Philip Gabriele’s signature on the letter was, indeed, his.

Staff writer Tom Moor:
tmoor@sbtinfo.com
(574) 247-7756

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