A man from Florida, Rory Atwood, 25, faces charges for the murder of a family of four, including two young children, who resided in his home. The family’s remains were found burnt in the backyard fire pit of his Hudson, Florida residence. The victims identified were Rain Mancini, 26, Phillip Zilliot II, 25, and their children, 6-year-old Karma Zilliot and 5-year-old Phillip Zilliot III.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco stated that Atwood, who had been acquainted with the victims since high school, initially claimed ignorance about their disappearance. However, following a friend’s tip-off to the police regarding Atwood’s self-incriminating phone call, Atwood confessed to the murders.
“If there weren’t evil in this world, we wouldn’t have to pray as much. And when I talk about this story today, you’ll hear about evil,” Sheriff Nocco said at a press conference.
The family was declared missing on Thursday by Mancini’s mother after she had not heard from her daughter, breaking their daily communication routine. Based on the affidavit from the Clark County Clerk’s office, the search for the family started following a request for a welfare check on June 13, 2024.
During the initial investigation at Atwood’s residence, investigators noticed an active fire pit in the backyard, though no immediate signs of criminal activity were found.
Police received a call from a resident concerned after his brother informed him that Rory Atwood had requested help to burn trash. The brother reportedly saw a pool of blood and what appeared to be “adult and child bodies” during a video call.
The tip led the police back to Atwood’s home the next day. It wasn’t until a cadaver dog was brought in that they discovered skeletal remains, soft tissue, and two human vertebrae in the fire pit.
Atwood claimed there was a confrontation on June 12 following the eviction of the family for unpaid rent. According to Atwood, Mancini and Zilliot, armed with knives, invaded his home. He said that after disarming Zilliot, the latter resorted to physical violence. Atwood defended his actions, stating he shot both parents in self-defense after Zilliot wielded a gun. He initially kept silent about the children’s whereabouts but later admitted their bodies were also in the fire pit, however, he denied killing them.
Atwood’s narrative included a claim that the parents had killed their own children prior to his alleged act of self-defense. Despite his version of events, the sheriff’s office charged Atwood with the murders based on his statement and the physical evidence found at the scene.
Besides the remains, investigators noted a strong smell of chlorine on the back patio, suggesting an attempted cleanup of the crime scene.
Atwood, who pleaded not guilty on Monday, is being held without bond. His public defender has chosen not to comment on the case. The investigation is in progress, with forensic experts working to definitively identify the remains found in the fire pit.
Prior to this incident, Atwood had a criminal record that included charges for fleeing and eluding law enforcement, stalking, and battery. These previous offenses depict a troubled individual, but are less severe compared to his current charges.