Wife in Love Triangle, Accused Teen Gunman Indicted in Murders

A mother of five and a teenager have both been indicted on murder charges for reportedly plotting to portray her husband’s death as a suicide and blame him for killing a woman he was romantically involved with.

Ann Marie Anastasi , 42, of Lothian, whom court documents say planned with her 13-year-old daughter and the girl’s 18-year-old boyfriend, Gabriel Ezekiel Struss, 18, of Annapolis, were recently in court for indictments, according to Maryland online court records. All three suspects face murder charges in the October deaths; no trial date has been set.

The trio is accused of plotting to kill Anthony Joseph Anastasi Jr., 40, and Jacqueline Irene Riggs, 25.

Anne Arundel County Police say Riggs had been an associate of the family and had been romantically involved at times with both Anthony and Ann Anastasi. This summer, Riggs moved into the basement of the Anastasi home in Lothian, and continued a relationship with Anthony Anastasi.

The Anastasi marriage was “fraught with conflict and domestic abuse,” according to charging documents, which caused tension within the residence.

Soon after Riggs moved in, Ann Anastasi and her daughter decided to have Anthony Anastasi and Riggs killed, police allege. Struss was reportedly enlisted to commit the murders.

Bodies Found in Home

Police were called to the Anastasi home at 630 W. Bay Front Road on Oct. 5 by Ann Anastasi, who reported her husband had committed suicide. Police found him in the master bedroom suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the upper body.

As police searched the residence, they found Riggs in the basement with multiple stab and cut wounds. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and their deaths ruled homicides by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Charging documents say both victims were killed Oct. 4. Anastasi died from a .380 caliber gunshot; while a Sig Sauer .45 caliber gun was found beside his body. This convinced authorities his death was not a suicide.

Struss allegedly texted his girlfriend and Ann Anastasi that night about the killings, according to charging documents, warning the girl not to talk to police or he would spend the rest of his life in prison. Other texts showed the girl discussed taking the fall for the murders on behalf of Struss, police said.

Multiple Charges Filed

Ann Anastasi was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The 13-year-old girl was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and also accessory after the fact. She was remanded to the custody of a juvenile detention facility.

Police charged Struss with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit second degree murder and two counts of a firearm use in a felony crime of violence.

Anne Arundel County Police ask anyone with information on the case to call Detective Jason McNemar at 410-222-4756. If people with information wish to remain anonymous, they can contact the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line 410-222-4700 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

»Arrest photos of Ann Anastasi and Gabriel Stuss, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police