A Florida man has been charged with the murder of a family of four who were staying in his house, including two young children, and burning their remains in a backyard fire pit. Rory Atwood, 25, was arrested after police discovered the charred remains of Rain Mancini, 26, Phillip Zilliot II, 25, and their children, 6-year-old Karma Zilliot and 5-year-old Phillip Zilliot III, at his home in Hudson, Florida.
According to Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, Atwood, who had known the victims since high school, initially denied any knowledge of their whereabouts. However, he later confessed to the murders after a friend informed police that Atwood had called and admitted to the killings. “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 during a press conference.
The family was reported missing Thursday by Mancini’s mother, who became worried after her daughter failed to maintain their daily communication. According to the affidavit obtained from the Clark County Clerk’s office, Pasco County deputies first began looking for the missing family after a request for a welfare check on June 13, 2024.
When investigators first searched Atwood’s property, they noticed a fire pit in the backyard that was actively smoldering but did not find any immediate evidence of foul play.
A concerned resident called the police after his brother said that Rory Atwood had called him and requested that he help with burning trash. The brother told the caller that he saw a puddle of blood and could see “adult and child bodies” over the video call.
Police returned to the home the following day based on the tip. 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 that an altercation broke out on June 12 after the family was evicted for not paying rent, when Mancini and Zilliot, armed with knives, allegedly stormed into his home. Atwood told detectives that Zilliot tried to attack him with a knife but, when disarmed, resorted to physical violence. Atwood said he shot both parents in self-defense after Zilliot brandished a gun. He did not initially disclose the whereabouts of the children during the struggle but later admitted that their bodies were also in the fire pit, though he denied killing them.
Atwood’s version of the event included an accusation that the parents had killed their own children before he allegedly acted in self-defense. However, the sheriff’s office has charged Atwood with the murders based on his testimony and the physical evidence found at the scene.
In addition to the remains, investigators noted a strong odor of chlorine on the back patio, indicating an attempt to clean up the crime scene.
Atwood, who pleaded not guilty Monday, is being held without bond. His public defender has declined to comment on the case. The investigation is ongoing, with forensic experts working to identify the remains found in the fire pit conclusively.
Atwood’s previous criminal record includes charges of fleeing and eluding law enforcement, stalking, and battery. These past offenses paint a picture of a troubled individual, but nothing as severe as his current charges.