veronica’s Story
Out of unspeakable tragedy came unstoppable hope
Our beautiful angel Veronica Louise Sacco came into this world on March 11, 1992. From the time she was a little girl, she had the innate ability to light up the world of those around her. At age 12, after her family noticed her keen interest in dance, they enrolled her in Arthur Murray School of Dance to study ballroom dance. She lovingly referred to her primary instructor Viktoria as her “Sensi”, and her partners Emmanuel, Jason, Matthew, and so many more as her true friends.
Her family knew of her passion for dance, but they were not ready for what Veronica was about to become – extraordinary. In her short dance career, Veronica, with her various partners, went on to win 14 National Championships and 3 World Gold Championships by the age of 17. Veronica’s list of accomplishments is not enough to describe her power and talent as a dancer. When she stepped on a dance floor, she owned it.
After years of training and championship wins, at age 18, Veronica was very excited to take her first professional dance instructor job in Phoenix, Arizona. Sadly, in her first year of employment, she experienced a violent sexual assault not related to her work. Trying to cope with the trauma of this event, she resorted to illegal drugs. After spiraling downward for a few months, she gathered her strength, quit her job, and moved to Ohio, her birth state, where she had a strong support system of her family and friends.
In Ohio, Veronica voluntarily entered a rehab program and completed it successfully. After this chain of unfortunate events, Veronica got back on her feet and started a new life. This is when she met the love of her life and the father of her first daughter. Coping with her past trauma proved too difficult a task for the young parents and they separated. Veronica continued to struggle with trauma and addiction for the next several years, however, she remained in contact with her family in Florida. In 2018, Veronica found out she was pregnant and voluntarily entered a nine-month rehabilitation program for abused women that additionally offered substance abuse counselling.
Successfully completing the program, Veronica relocated to Florida to raise her daughter with the help of her family and rekindle her passion for dance. This was a happy time for Veronica. She stayed clean from drugs and alcohol for over three years and raised her younger daughter with the help of her family. Her life was clear, promising, and happy until she met “him” in the fall of 2020.
Within the span of a few weeks, he was consuming all her time. That behavior escalated through the holidays and into the new year. Veronica’s friends and family became concerned about the isolated nature of the relationship and Veronica’s sobriety. Unfortunately, her every move was being managed by her abuser and she stayed with him. Family and friends witnessed that Veronica was not allowed to go anywhere without “him” or make personal decisions for herself.
As the abuse became more unbearable, Veronica began to discuss with her family and friends about ways to end the relationship and recommit to her sobriety. Veronica made plans to get an apartment with a girlfriend. Veronica decided to convince “him” that she should have lunch alone with her sister and dad on his birthday, April 14th. She spoke to her dad on the phone, and they made this plan. Unfortunately, April 12, would be the last time Veronica would speak to her dad. She disappeared after that call.
Veronica’s body was found twelve days later, abandoned, mutilated, wrapped in a blue tarp, clear plastic, and white cloth. A land surveyor found her remains on the side of an isolated dirt road with a large toy car covering her. After her remains were discovered, DNA was taken from her mother and daughter to confirm her identity. The Medical Examiner’s report determined that she was shot six times in her face, neck, and chest with a 9mm automatic handgun.
Her murderer fled the State of Florida and was apprehended seven weeks later in Georgia while hiding in a motel with another female. He was extradited and is currently awaiting trial in the Orange County jail for charges of second-degree murder with a firearm, tampering with physical evidence, and interfering with a dead body.
Veronica is survived by a world made lesser without her, including two beautiful daughters.
We honor Veronica for the beautiful angel that she was a bold light that came to this world to brighten the lives of those around her. We memorialize her glowing spirit and deep passion for life and dance while remembering her with her own words:
Our Family’s Closure At Last
On December 16, 2023 the Ninth Judicial Circuit announced a grand jury returned the indictment of Veronica Sacco’s accused killer on first-degree murder charges, The Foundation, and the Sacco family stand with the State Attorney’s Office in pursuit of justice for Veronica.
“On behalf of Veronica’s children, family and friends, The Veronica L. Sacco Foundation today commends Orange-Osceola County State Attorney Andrew A. Bain and the Ninth Judicial Circuit for indictment of Denzelle Jordan Turner on a first-degree murder charge in the killing of our beloved daughter,” said Robert Sacco and Nichole Sacco-Larkin, parents of the late Veronica L. Sacco.
The original arrest warrant issued by Lake County charged the defendant with Murder 1 and when jurisdiction changed to Orange County the Charge was immediately reduced to Murder 2. The Sacco family was outraged, and their voices fell on the deaf ears of the former State Attorney. Thanks to the leadership of Governor DeSantis and the courage of his newly appointed State Attorney, Mr. Andrew Bain, a Grand Jury returned a True Bill on all counts including Murder 1. “State Attorney Bain took our family’s concerns very seriously, and he has shown his commitment to serve victims’ families through his pursuit of justice in this case. We are deeply grateful to State Attorney Bain for his involvement in this matter. Our family also wishes to express our gratitude to Governor Ron DeSantis for his appointment of State Attorney Bain to our jurisdiction. Under their leadership, victims of violent crime can sleep more soundly at night,” added Veronica’s Mom.
Sacco and Sacco-Larkin also noted, “All of us involved in The Veronica L. Sacco Foundation remain committed to helping other women and families escape abusive relationships and to overcome the challenges of domestic violence. In honor of our daughter Veronica, we will do everything we can to hold those who commit such terrible acts are held accountable.
“Dance is my sanctuary…
My Escape…
When I Dance, I am Free”
– Veronica XOXOXO 2021