A 60-year-old father who was attacked and beaten for 18 minutes during a robbery outside a New York supermarket on Christmas morning has died from his injuries.
“He shouldn't go out like that, he should see me finish my university studies, walk me down the aisle and see my first real career,” the victim's daughter, Amanda, said through tears.
Michael DiCesare's family confirmed that he died Sunday from injuries sustained in a brutal attack in the early hours of Christmas Day.
Rochester police said the attack happened just before 1 a.m. Dec. 25 at the corner of Bay Street and Portland Avenue, WHAM reported. His family said the father of two was probably out for a walk and stopped to have a snack when the robbery took place.
DiCesare was found with life-threatening injuries and taken to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he remained until his family made the heartbreaking decision to remove him from life support.
Michael DiCesare (left), pictured with his sister Julie Arellano (center) and brother David DiCesare (right), died Sunday as a result of a brutal attack on Christmas morning
Michael's daughter Amanda DiCesare (pictured) said: “He shouldn't go out like that, he should see me at my university graduation and walk me down the aisle.”
“I'm really going to miss making him laugh and smile and telling him about my day at work,” Amanda told WHAM.
“My father was always a very, very stubborn person. So I know that I can’t sit around feeling sorry for myself all day and that he wants me to move on and not let it weigh on me.”
She said her father was a chef for 30 years and they shared a passion for cooking and music.
“He and I loved collecting records and he even gave me his old speakers and record players to use for my own collection,” Amanda said.
“He bought me my first record when I was 13 and since then, whenever we could get together and I had my pocket money saved up, we would go to the House of Guitars or the record archive and look around and he would tell me something about them teach old albums.”
Two men, Brucewayne Beaman, 22, and Guy Mustgray II, 33, were arrested and charged over the attack.
According to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, they are accused of approaching DiCesare on the street and attempting to rob him.
One of the men reportedly displayed a gun and the other “a sharp weapon” with which they beat the 60-year-old for 18 minutes before taking his belongings from his pockets.
“I would assume he just went for a walk, maybe went to the supermarket to get something to eat or drink or whatever and then went home,” said Michael's brother David. “Well, just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
After police found Michael, he was taken to the hospital with a severe traumatic brain injury and required a breathing tube.
“In the beginning and the first two or three weeks there was always hope that he would wake up,” David said.
Amanda said her father was a chef for 30 years and they shared a passion for cooking and music. Michael DiCesare is pictured with his wife and children
Michael's (pictured) brother David DiCesare said: “He was a caring person.” He was fun-loving. He liked to joke a lot.
“The more we talked to the doctors, the more that hope faded.” “We, my sister, Mike's wife Karrie and their children decided as a group that the best thing for him would be to just let him go in peace rather than to try to keep him on life support.”
David said: “He was a caring person.” He was fun-loving. He liked to joke a lot.'
Amanda said on Facebook: “Yesterday was literally the worst day of my life.” It's difficult to put this into words, even though I've had to do it several times. My father is dead. I will never see him again. I can't describe the feeling I had when I heard the news – it was like being hit by a truck. It hurts like hell.'
Michael's sister Julie Arellano, who regularly reported on his condition, said: “It breaks my heart to announce that my brother Michael DiCesare has died from his injuries.”
“I can't believe my big brother is gone.” It doesn't feel real and doesn't make sense. He was only 60 years old. He should grow old with Dave and me. I don't know if I'll ever feel whole again.'
“I pray that he is at peace.” “All I know right now is that my heart is not at peace… It's shattered into a million pieces,” Arellano said.
Beaman and Mustgray were arrested Jan. 31 and charged with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and fourth-degree grand larceny.
Two men, Brucewayne Beaman, 22, and Guy Mustgray II, 33, were arrested and charged over the attack outside a Rochester supermarket (pictured)
“The two men who robbed and beat my brother Mike to death have been formally arrested.” “It was dramatic as the two men were in hiding, but the Rochester Police Department, and in particular Detective in Charge Eliud Rodriguez, worked tirelessly to bring them to justice “To collect evidence they needed to find her and arrest her,” Arellano said.
“You are charged with multiple charges including attempted murder; which is elevated to murder after Mike's death.'
The men were booked into the Monroe County Jail. According to court records, Beaman is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail or $500,000 bond and Mustgray is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail or $150,000 bond .
“They will hopefully be locked away for the rest of their lives, but everyone in my entire family will have to live the rest of their lives without him,” David said.