CrimeAug 07, 2024
Authorities Arrest Alleged ‘Black Bin Crew’ Jewelry ThievesCrimeAug 13, 2024
Suspect Indicted in July Murder of Florida Jeweler
John Craiger, 83, faces a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Ghazi “Gus” Osta, owner of Volusia Gold & Diamond in Daytona Beach.
A Volusia County grand jury has indicted John Willard Craiger, 83, on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder following the July 19 shooting death of Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta. Osta owned Volusia Gold & Diamond in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Daytona Beach, Fla.—John Willard Craiger, 83, has been indicted on murder charges in the death of Florida jeweler Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta.
On July 19, Craiger, said to be a frequent customer at Osta’s store, Volusia Gold & Diamond, entered the store before 1 p.m. and approached the jeweler while he was working behind the counter.
Following a “brief verbal altercation,” Craiger pulled a small revolver out of the right-front pocket of his pants and shot Osta in the head, according to police and the charging affidavit filed in the case.
Osta died of his injuries at the hospital.
A store employee, later identified as the victim’s son, David Osta, exchanged gunfire with Craiger.
Another employee approached Craiger from behind and struck him in the head with what appears to be a small statue, according to the affidavit.
Craiger fell to the ground, revolver in hand, and was struck again, this time with a small brass-colored vase.
Craiger was shot multiple times in the legs and also sustained a head injury, police said. The two store employees were not injured.
He was booked at the Volusia County Jail on July 31. He had been in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound and head injuries, according to a local news report from WKMG/ClickOrlando.com.
The week of Aug. 5, a Volusia County grand jury indicted Craiger on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, the state attorney’s office for Florida’s seventh judicial circuit announced via Facebook.
His was one of five cases the grand jury heard that week.
Related stories will be right here …
On July 19, Craiger, said to be a frequent customer at Osta’s store, Volusia Gold & Diamond, entered the store before 1 p.m. and approached the jeweler while he was working behind the counter.
Following a “brief verbal altercation,” Craiger pulled a small revolver out of the right-front pocket of his pants and shot Osta in the head, according to police and the charging affidavit filed in the case.
Osta died of his injuries at the hospital.
A store employee, later identified as the victim’s son, David Osta, exchanged gunfire with Craiger.
Another employee approached Craiger from behind and struck him in the head with what appears to be a small statue, according to the affidavit.
Craiger fell to the ground, revolver in hand, and was struck again, this time with a small brass-colored vase.
Craiger was shot multiple times in the legs and also sustained a head injury, police said. The two store employees were not injured.
He was booked at the Volusia County Jail on July 31. He had been in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound and head injuries, according to a local news report from WKMG/ClickOrlando.com.
The week of Aug. 5, a Volusia County grand jury indicted Craiger on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, the state attorney’s office for Florida’s seventh judicial circuit announced via Facebook.
His was one of five cases the grand jury heard that week.
Osta was remembered by his family as “a loving father, brother, and friend to so many. He had the soul of a lion and always wore his heart on his sleeve.”
A native of Lebanon who immigrated to the United States, Ghazi opened Volusia Gold & Diamond 38 years ago alongside his wife, Leigh Osta.
Together, they had four children: Sienna, David, Pavlina, and Fiona Osta.
“His energy, generosity, and passion for life could be felt by all those who came into contact with him. Our dad was always striving to help those around him. He loved his community, and they loved him back. He will be deeply missed,” said his family.
A GoFundMe page for the family had raised more than $14,000 as of press time.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
