Cape Cod man sentenced to life in prison after murdering ex-girlfriend, attempting suicide

Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois announced Friday that 36-year-old Cleber Mariano has pled guilty for his role relating to the murder of Danielle Taylor, of Mashpee.

On February 8, 2021, Falmouth police received a 911 call seeking a well-being check on Cleber Mariano who had sent several text messages and phone calls indicating he was suicidal. Police arrive at the Cape Wind Waterfront Resort where police found Taylor lying on the floor unconscious and Mariano located on the bed in a pool of blood. They were both taken to Falmouth hospital.

Taylor was pronounced dead at Falmouth hospital and after an autopsy, it was determined that the cause of death was asphyxia by strangulation. Mariano had attempted suicide and was found with a large laceration to his neck and his right hand.

On December 2, 2021, the Barnstable County grand jury indicted Mariano with 2nd degree murder for the death of Taylor. Friday, in the Barnstable Superior Court, Mariano plead guilty to those charges and Judge Gildea sentenced Mariano to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

According to the Cape Cod Times, Taylor’s sister stated that she had been living in Mashpee before moving in with Mariano who was her boyfriend. They broke up and when Taylor went back to get her things, she was killed. Taylor was a mother of 5 children and died after just turning 30 years old.

The District Attorney thanked the Massachusetts State Police and the Falmouth Police Department for their work on this case and expressed sympathies to the family of Taylor.

This case was prosecuted by First Assistant Jessica Elumba, Assistant District Attorney Dana Hatchell, and Victim/ Witness Assistant Deborah McCoy.