The family (left) and suspect Rory Atwood (right)
Source: Ghanaija
A landlord in the US, 25 -year-old Rory Atwood, has allegedly burnt a young family of four to death following an argument over unpaid rent.
Atwood – who has since been charged with first-degree murder – reportedly told police that he had evicted the family on June 1, this year when they failed to pay rent but they unexpectedly returned to his property on June 12.
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.
