A disturbing domestic homicide investigation is underway in Vero Beach following the arrest of a 29-year-old man accused of killing his elderly grandmother. The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the Fairway Circle community earlier this week, uncovering a violent scene that has shocked local residents.
According to arrest reports, Nicholas Ivey, 29, has confessed to law enforcement that he killed his grandmother, 76-year-old Patricia Dibella, following a domestic dispute inside her home.
Details of the Incident
The investigation began when Ivey’s father contacted the Sheriff’s Office, prompting deputies to perform a welfare check at Dibella’s apartment on the evening of Monday, February 2. Upon arriving at the scene around 8:15 p.m., deputies discovered the victim’s body on a bed. Law enforcement noted that the body was already “extremely stiff,” indicating the death had occurred well before their arrival.
During questioning, Ivey admitted to detectives that the altercation took place the previous evening. He alleged that his grandmother had poked him in the back with a kitchen steak knife. In response, Ivey—who is described in reports as standing 6’1” and weighing 350 lbs—reacted with extreme violence.
Confession and Aftermath
The arrest affidavit details a brutal attack in which Ivey admitted to “snapping” the victim’s neck. He reportedly continued the assault by repeatedly punching and stomping on her head while she lay on the ground.
Following the death of his grandmother, Ivey allegedly took steps to conceal the crime and continue with his evening. The report indicates he moved the body to a bedroom and attempted to clean the crime scene, which included wiping blood from the floor with towels, washing his blood-stained sweatshirt, and returning the steak knife to a drawer.
Perhaps most chillingly, authorities state that after the killing, Ivey took his grandmother’s credit cards and her Nissan sedan to a nearby store to purchase beer and cigarettes. He later returned to the home and eventually called his father to confess to the killing, stating he wanted to discuss the situation with him before contacting emergency services.
“She came at me with a knife,” Ivey told law enforcement, attempting to explain the catalyst for the fatal attack.
Current Charges and Legal Status
Ivey was taken into custody at the Indian River County Jail. While he has confessed to the killing, formal murder charges were still pending at the time of the report. However, he is currently being held on a cumulative bond of $400,000 facing several other serious felonies related to his actions after the victim’s death.
Current charges against Nicholas Ivey include:
- Grand theft auto
- Criminal use of personal identification
- Unlawful possession of stolen credit cards
- Fraudulent use of credit cards
The Sheriff’s Office and the Medical Examiner have processed the scene at Fairway Circle, and the vehicle has been secured for forensic examination. Ivey is scheduled for arraignment on March 10. This remains an active investigation, and further updates regarding formal homicide charges are expected from Indian River County authorities.
