Two individuals have been arrested for murder and other charges after allegedly conning an elderly man in Florida out of a substantial amount of money before killing him, dismembering his body, and burying his remains in one of their backyards, as per authorities.
Joseph Schriliro, 45, and Silviano Christman, 31, are accused of deceiving the 71-year-old victim in a heartless financial scheme, before the gruesome discovery was made on February 13th by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
According to reports, the two suspects were last seen together on January 3rd, which was also the last day the victim, Joseph Romano, was seen alive. Romano was reported missing shortly after, prompting local deputies to launch an investigation into his disappearance on January 16th.
Sheriff Chad Chronister condemned the actions of the duo, labeling them as “despicable and deeply disturbing,” stating that they exploited and took the life of another individual through deceit and violence.
Deputies investigating Romano’s disappearance discovered an ongoing financial fraud scheme when they caught Schriliro attempting to steal the victim’s mail from his Riverview residence.
The victim’s funds were traced to fraudulent accounts linked to the alleged scammers, although the exact amount stolen was not disclosed.
Upon learning that Schriliro and Christman were together during the time of the crime, authorities obtained a search warrant for Schriliro’s Valrico home. The victim’s body was unearthed in the backyard of Schriliro’s residence on February 13th.
Christman was apprehended by the New York Police Department Regional Fugitive Task Force on February 20th, while Schriliro was captured by the US Marshals in Pinellas County the following day.
Both suspects are facing charges of pre-meditated first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit pre-meditated first-degree murder, burglary with battery, and fraudulent use of personally identifiable information of a deceased person. Christman has also been charged with abuse of a dead body.
Christman is currently detained at Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward and is scheduled to appear in Queens Criminal Court on March 20th. Schriliro, on the other hand, is being held at Pinellas County Jail and faces additional charges of money laundering, fraud, and exploitation.
The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to bring justice to the victim and his family.
