On October 24, 2025, Brittallia Semaan, a 34-year-old woman from New Castle, Delaware, was sentenced to two life terms plus 45 years in prison. The sentence followed her conviction on 31 charges, including first-degree murder, felony murder, robbery, and other offenses. Semaan was found guilty but mentally ill after an investigation by the Delaware State Police and the Delaware Department of Justice.
The crimes began on March 13, 2022. Semaan carjacked a Chevrolet Trax from an adult and two children, injuring the adult. She then used the vehicle to fatally strike Joseph Stanavich, who was walking along Route 9. Semaan also injured another person in the parking lot of the Brandywine Valley SPCA.
She later collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Route 141 and Washington Street in New Castle. After the collision, she stole a Ford Explorer from a passerby, leaving with another occupant still inside. An off-duty Wilmington Police officer and a former New Castle County Police officer called 911 and followed her…