HUDSON, FL – A chilling discovery on the property of a Florida man has raised concerns that a missing family of four, including two young children, may be dead. Rory Atwood, 25, is now facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with the case. The human remains, yet to be identified, were found during a search conducted by Pasco County deputies. The missing family has been identified as Rain Mancini, 26, Phillip Zilliot II, 25, and their children, 6-year-old Karma Zilliot and 5-year-old Phillip Zilliot III.
During a press conference held on Saturday, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco expressed his belief that the discovered remains belong to the missing family. However, a conclusive identification is pending. Nocco stated, “We believe that they may be on the property deceased, but we do not know that definitively.”
According to Nocco, the investigation is still ongoing, but authorities believe that the family, Atwood’s daughter, and a friend of Mancini’s were all at Atwood’s home on Wednesday night into Thursday morning. An argument reportedly ensued between the adults, who were drinking at the time. At approximately 2 a.m., Atwood allegedly made a frantic phone call to a friend, confessing to having shot somebody.
Shockingly, it took another 12 hours for anyone to contact the sheriff’s office with information about the incident. Atwood eventually allowed a search of his 10-acre rural property on Nottingham Trail in the town of Hudson. However, no suspicious items were discovered.
As the investigation progressed, deputies contacted Mancini’s mother, who revealed that she hadn’t spoken to her daughter since Wednesday and didn’t know of her whereabouts. It was then that the family was reported missing. Further information indicated that Mancini and her family had previously resided on Atwood’s property and were there on Wednesday night.
In an effort to find answers, deputies returned to Atwood’s property on Friday night with the assistance of cadaver dogs and aerial units. They were successful in locating human remains. However, due to the ongoing investigation, Sheriff Nocco refrained from providing additional details. A medical examiner will be responsible for confirming the identity of the remains.
While the family’s death has yet to be confirmed, the missing persons investigation remains open. Individuals with any relevant information are encouraged to contact the Pasco Sheriff’s Non-Emergency Line or submit tips online.
No further details are available at this time.