A Gloucester, Massachusetts, woman has filed a lawsuit against a lifelong friend, claiming a yearslong dispute over money ended in a plot to kill her involving a WD-40-soaked rag and a secret recording.

Alleged Attempted Murder

According to her civil complaint filed in Essex Superior Court, Marianna DiMercurio alleges she loaned her longtime friend and neighbor, Phyllis Palazzola, a total of $160,000, plus an additional $20,000 in agreed-upon interest, between October 2021 and February 2022.

The lawsuit states the money was intended to help pay legal fees related to an insurance fraud case involving Palazzola, and that DiMercurio repeatedly sought repayment.

On Jan. 3, 2024, according to the lawsuit, Palazzola offered to drive DiMercurio to a local bank to repay the debt. Instead, she allegedly drove her to her own home on Washington Street in Gloucester.

The lawsuit claims Palazzola went inside the house, returned with a rag soaked in WD-40, and forcibly held it over DiMercurio’s face in an attempt to render her unconscious.

DiMercurio escaped from the vehicle, fell to the ground, and later ran into Palazzola’s home to wash her eyes after experiencing burning and blurry vision. The lawsuit alleges Palazzola continued pursuing her as she tried to flee.

Secret Recording

After fleeing to her own vehicle, DiMercurio began recording on her phone because she feared for her life. The complaint alleges a roughly 14-minute conversation followed.

According to the filing, Palazzola admitted she had attempted to sedate DiMercurio and planned to drive their vehicle off a bridge, killing them both.

A grand jury has indicted Palazzola on five charges stemming from the January 2024 incident, including attempted murder.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.