CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Family members of 54-year-old Denise Williams of Johnstown describe her as outgoing, loving, and caring.
"There was never a dull moment with her. You knew when she was around. She made everybody laugh," said her sister, Kim Banda.
Denise was stabbed to death last April during a Facebook marketplace transaction when she was attempting to purchase a refrigerator.
Her convicted killer, Joshua Gorgone, will now be spending the rest of his life in prison.
Authorities say he stabbed Denise 68 times.
Him getting a life sentence isn't good enough. Nothing will ever be good enough because he took my mom," said Denise's daughter, Karlee Williams.At the sentencing hearing Tuesday, Karlee and about 20 others packed into the courtroom wearing purple shirts in memory of Denise.
Cambria County Assistant District Attorney Jessica Aurandt was among them, wearing the purple shirt and showing support.
"We felt like part of the family. It was really difficult to not become emotional, not become attached to the family members, and not feel like we wanted to do the absolute best job we possibly could for Denise," she told 6 News.
Cambria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer also expressed his appreciation for the judge's decision to keep Gorgone behind bars forever.
"This was a very sad case. We believe it's an appropriate sentence, in order to protect the community and also to punish for a truly heinous act," he told 6 News.
During the emotional hearing, five of Denise's family members gave their final messages to Gorgone before he was taken away in handcuffs.
Denise's sisters called him a "monster," saying Gorgone took away more from their family than he could ever realize.
They also expressed their anger over Gorgone's lack of remorse.
"He'll never feel the pain that he caused us. No matter what they could sentence him too, what they do to him in prison, he will never feel the pain that he caused my family," Banda said.
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Not only is Denise with her family in spirit, but she's also present in the necklaces her family members wear, where her ashes are filled inside.
"We carry her with us. She's in our hearts and in our necklaces, but she's not here where she needs to be with our family," Banda said.
The family members say they've always been a strong family unit, but they have grown to be stronger now.
"We love Nessie and miss her every day. You hurt one, you hurt us all," Banda said.
As they continue to work to get justice for Denise.
"We got a little bit of peace that he got sentenced to what he deserved," Williams said.
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