A photo collage of the family (left) and the suspect Rory Atwood (right)
Source: Africa Publicity
A 25-year-old landlord in the United States (US), Rory Atwood, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder after allegedly burning an entire family of four to death following argument over unpaid rent.
The suspect, Atwood reportedly told police that he had evicted the family on June 1, this year when they failed to pay rent but they returned to his property unexpectedly on June 12, resulting in the argument and he subsequently burning them to death.
Local media reports say Atwood burnt Rain Mancini, 26, Phillip Zilliot II, 25, and their children Karma, 6, and Phillip, 5 went missing on June 12, 2024.
A criminal complaint published by USA Today disclosed that Atwood had told the police that he entered into a fight with Rain Mancini, and Phillip Zilliot, over a gun in the lead up to their deaths.
Police discovered reportedly remains of the family when they searched Atwood’s property with cadaver dogs.
Local media reports said the suspect informed police that he used “adrenalin” to drag their bodies to the firepit
US Sheriff Criss Nocco told journalists at a press conference that “around 4:30 in the afternoon (Friday), our deputies observed Rory Atwood, we see him out there, he gives us permission to go back onto the property, which we start doing a more extensive search.”
The Sheriff added “We have human remains dogs, bloodhounds, aviation, deputies; because of the search, we are able to find human remains.”
“This, along with several admissions, is what led to Rory Atwood being charged with first-degree homicide”, the officer said.
Have a press release, feature, article for publication? Send it to us via Whatsapp on +233543452542.
