Cipriano Family Members Improving; Support Grows Through Facebook

Rose and Salvatore Cipriano, the mother and son brutally beaten in an April 16 attack in their Farmington Hills home, continue to show signs of improvement.

spokesperson Margo Gorchow said today that "both remain in critical condition, which is not unusual for this level of brain injury. However, they are showing signs of response to the environment and questions. While this is good news, this will be a long recovery and rehabilitation for both."

Robert "Bob" Cipriano, 52, was killed in the attack; Salvatore's twin brother, Tanner, and sister Isabella, 8, were not injured. The Ciprianos' 19-year-old son Tucker and his 20-year-old friend Mitchell Young will appear in court again on May 23. in connection with murder and assaults.

Today, the Detroit Free Press published details of the murder and assaults, based on information in "interviews, police reports and witness statements" the newspaper obtained Tuesday. 

Community supports the family

While Rose, 51, and Salvatore, 17, recover, friends and loved ones are sharing information and encouragement through a support page on Facebook. As of this afternoon, the "Cipriano Support Page" had more than 3,600 members who are posting photos, sharing memories and words of encouragement for the family. 

classmates of Salvatore and Tanner have also set up a blog in support of the family. 

This week, organizers of the annual Mark Quay Invitational golf tournament in Northville announced their 12th annual event will be a benefit for the Cipriano family. 

Bob Quay said he organized the tournament after his brother Mark passed away 13 years ago. He said his family lived a few houses down from the Ciprianos and grew up with Bob Cipriano's father, Salvatore, coaching them in youth sports. Cipriano family members participated in the tournament, he said.

There are 40 spots open for the June 22 co-ed scramble at Salem Hills golf course, Quay said. Cost to golf is $100 or $30 to attend only the barbecue dinner. Quay is also collecting donated raffle items; he said prizes thus far include a car from for a hole-in-one and a case of wine that will be raffled off.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the raffle or participate in the golf tournament may contact Quay at 248-756-0779 or rfquay@yahoo.com

"We're just trying to raise as much money as we can," he said. 

Students raise funds

Catholic Central students raised more than $11,000 in one day with a fundraiser, according to The Detroit News. Students were allowed to wear sweatpants and a white shirt, instead of their normal uniforms, on April 19 if they made a donation.

Students at , where 8-year-old Isabella Cipriano is a student, and  have held fundraisers for the Cipriano Childrens Trust. Parent Stephanie Dickow Surowiec reported the St. Fabian drive also raised more than $11,000. 

Students at and  high schools donated funds from their charity week activities in April. Both schools were on lockdown following the April 16 attack.