A Florida homeowner has been charged with murder after he allegedly brutally killed a family of four, including two children, ages 5 and 6, and then burned their bodies in a bonfire in his backyard.
According to an affidavit obtained from the Clark County Clerk’s Office, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office began searching for 26-year-old Rain Mancini, 25-year-old Phillip Gilliott II, 6-year-old Karma Gilliott and 5-year-old Phillip Gilliott III on June 13 after receiving a call for help checking on their safety.
Concerned residents called police after their brother said he had called them from 25-year-old Rory Atwood and asked them for help burning rubbish.
The brother told the caller he saw a puddle of blood and saw “dead adults and children” on the video call, according to the affidavit.
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Rain Mancini was last seen on June 12th. (Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)
When police arrived at Atwood’s home in Hudson, Florida, he allegedly assured them he “knew nothing” about the family’s disappearance.
The suspect told police the family left the property on June 12, according to the affidavit.
The next day, police received a call from a man who claimed Atwood “admitted to killing his roommate and her children,” according to the affidavit.
Karma and Phillip Gilliott were last seen with their parents on June 12 in Hudson, Florida. (Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)
Investigators spoke with Atwood again, who said he evicted the family for unpaid rent, even though their belongings were still in the rented home.
Investigators searched the property and found a fire pit in the backyard with burnt remains at its base.
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Authorities said a cadaver-sniffing dog pulled “small bone remains,” soft tissue and two human vertebrae from the fire.
There was also a “strong smell” of chlorine around the front porch, the affidavit states.
Atwood then told detectives he evicted the family from their home on June 1 for not paying rent, but the family showed up “unexpectedly” on the evening of June 12, according to the affidavit.
Atwood alleged that the couple came into the bedroom where Mancini and her 4-year-old daughter were, armed with a knife, and Atwood said she got into an argument with Philip Gilliott II after Mancini held the knife to her daughter’s neck, according to the affidavit.
Philip Gilliott II and his family were last seen on June 12 in Hudson, Florida. (Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)
Atwood alleged that during the altercation, Philip Gilliott II pulled out a gun and, in a struggle over the weapon, Mancini was shot multiple times.
Investigators said Atwood allegedly pointed the gun at Phillip Gilliott II and pulled the trigger, killing him.
According to the affidavit, Atwood “did not disclose” how the two children died but claimed that Philip Gilliott II and Mancini murdered them.
Atwood then allegedly dragged the family of four, along with the bloodstained sofa and the gun used in the attack, to a fire pit where he burned the contents.
“The defendant advised the affidavit that he did not recall cleaning the interior of the residence, but if he had, he would have disposed of towels and cleaning supplies in the fire,” the affidavit states.
Rory Atwood was charged with murder after deputies searching for a missing family member found human remains on his property. (Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)
Despite Atwood’s claims of self-defense, detectives said their investigation led them to believe Atwood premeditated the murders of Philip Gilliott and Mancini and then tried to destroy evidence and cover it up.
“During post-Miranda interviews, the defendant admitted to being involved in the deaths of two adult victims and two minor victims. [Phillip Zilliot III and Karma Zilliot] “They were burned in the same fire pit,” the affidavit states.
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The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said Atwood has been charged with first-degree murder and other charges are pending as the investigation continues.
The body has yet to be officially identified.
Atwood has pleaded not guilty, and he is being held without bail, according to court records.
