Rory Atwood suspected of killing and burning family of four in Florida

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

3 2 minutes read

Police in Florida have charged a 25-year-old man with first-degree murder after finding human remains in his home that they believe belong to a missing family.

Rory Atwood was arrested Saturday in Pasco County, Florida, the Pasco sheriff announced at a news conference, recounting a complicated investigation into an incident they say occurred between April 12 and June 13.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said the investigation is ongoing, but the case is likely linked to the disappearances of Rain Mancini, 26, Phillip Zilliot II, 25, Karma Zilliot, 6, and Phillip Zilliot III, 5.

According to the criminal complaint, Atwood told detectives he got into an altercation with the two adults, they fought over a gun and they were shot. He then said he used “adrenaline” to drag them to a home on his property.

Atwood pleaded not guilty Monday and is being held without bond, according to court records. The public defender assigned to his case declined to comment.

Missing children: Remains of missing 8-month-old child found hidden in Kentucky home; parents arrested

Cadaver dog finds 'small skeletal remains'

The Pasco Sheriff's Office said Friday it was searching for the family last seen June 12, according to a Facebook post.

Officers received information from secondary sources raising concerns about Atwood's possible involvement, according to the criminal complaint. But when police arrived at Atwood's home in Hudson, Florida, he allowed police to search the property and they found nothing suspicious.

During a subsequent search, a cadaver dog found what “appeared to be a small skeletal remains” with soft tissue in a hearth measuring approximately 10 feet in diameter, records show.

Forensic investigators also found apparent human long bone fragments and two apparent human vertebrae, according to the complaint.

Atwood said he believed the parents killed and burned their own children.

Atwood later told police that he evicted Mancini and the Zilliots on June 1 when they failed to pay rent, and that they returned unexpectedly on June 12.

Atwood also said Phillip Zilliot II entered his room with a knife and the two men fought, while Mancini threatened one of Atwood's relatives with a knife.

The three adults fought over the knife and gun, Atwood told police. In the process, Mancini was shot several times in the head and torso and Phillip Zilliot II was shot twice in the head, Atwood said according to the complaint.

Atwood told detectives he suspected Mancini and Phillip Zilliot II of killing their two children because the fire was already spreading through the property, and he did not see the children after the altercation with their parents. However, Atwood knew the children were in the home, according to the complaint. Atwood also said he burned a couch in his living room, which contained traces of blood, as well as the gun used in the altercation.

Cadaver dog finds 'small skeletal remains'

Atwood said he believed the parents killed and burned their own children.

Lina Portman

Related Articles

Sexual Assault Allegations Made Against Oren Alexander

How Kobbie Mainoo ranks among teenagers heading to Euro 2024

Man missing in a river in Thiensville | State

Hawaii County Weather Forecast for June 8, 2024: Big Island Now