Almost three years have passed since the murder of Samantha MacQuilliam, a former University of Tampa student found dead in her Palm Harbor home. Today, friends and family wore purple, MacQuilliam’s favorite color as they gathered in court for the trial against Matthew Dieterle, a Maryland man accused for killing MacQuilliam.
MacQuilliam was found dead in the master bathroom of her home near Lake Tarpon in August 2007. She had been beaten, stabbed and strangled to death. Evidence pointed to Dieterle, who’s bloody handprint was found in the bathroom along with his blood-spattered shorts that were left hanging on the towel rack.
The relationship was described as on-and-off. Dieterle had beaten MacQuilliam on separate occasions, once in their former South Tampa home and the other in May of 2007 in their Palm Harbor home.
Today, three years later, the jury found Matthew Dieterle guilty of murder. Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Philip Federico sentenced Dieterle life in prison without parole.
Alex Vera can be contacted at avera813@gmail.com
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