25-year-old landlord shoots family of 4, burns corpses at home
Authorities have narrated how a Florida landlord fatally shot a family of four, including young children, and then burned their remains in the home’s fire pit.
The unfortunate incident happened on Tuesday, June 18.
Following investigations, the 25-year-old suspect identified as Rory Atwood confessed to the crime.
Atwood agreed to killing the family, which included children aged 5 and 6 after a disagreement with the parents, who he had been friends with since high school.
“If there wasn’t evil in this world, we wouldn’t have to pray as much. And when I speak about this incident today, you’re going to hear about evil,” Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco told the media.
“Atwood initially denied knowing anything about the Zilliot family’s whereabouts, which included Rain Mancini, 26; Phillip Zilliot II, 25; and their young children Karma and Phillip III, 6 and 5, respectively, Nocco said.
The family, who were staying at Atwood’s Hudson residence, were reported missing on Thursday, June 13, by Mancini’s mother after she couldn’t reach her daughter.
Atwood, a father himself, allowed investigators to search the property but detectives only noticed the backyard fire pit that was still burning.
The next day, a friend of Atwood informed police that Atwood had confessed to killing his roommates and their children the night before.
Investigators found human remains in the fire pit and the back patio had a strong chlorine smell. Atwood eventually confessed to killing the family.
According to Atwood, Zilliot II and Mancini attacked him in his home with knives, and a struggle ensued in which he used a firearm. Atwood claimed Mancini tried to harm his own child, leading to a physical altercation.
Atwood admitted to moving the bodies to the fire pit and claimed the parents started the fire. Authorities are working to confirm the identities of the bodies found. Atwood pleaded not guilty and has been remanded in custody without bail.
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