Florida Man's Dismembered Remains Discovered: Murder, Fraud, and a Chilling Backyard Find

Two men face serious charges following the discovery of Joseph Romano's remains in Florida.

Tampa, FL

In a case that has shocked the community, authorities have made a grim discovery involving 71-year-old Joseph Romano. Reported missing on January 16 after being seen at his apartment on January 12, Romano's dismembered remains were found on February 13 buried in the backyard of a property owned by Joseph Schiliro, 45. Police allege that before his murder, Romano was swindled out of large sums of money.

The investigation, led by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, uncovered unsettling details linking the crime to financial fraud. Schiliro, who had been observed attempting to retrieve mail from Romano’s apartment following his disappearance, is now a prime suspect. Further investigation revealed that according to records from the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, Silviano Christman, 31, had traveled from New York to Tampa on January 3, accompanied by Schiliro—the last day Romano was in contact with anyone.

Detectives suspect that Romano's tragic end was part of a broader scam. They found evidence of substantial fund transfers from his accounts to fraudulent accounts tied to Schiliro, suggesting that financial exploitation preceded the fatal violence.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister condemned the accused's actions, stating, "The actions of these two men are despicable and deeply disturbing. Through deceit and violence, they exploited and took the life of another individual."

Christman was apprehended in New York City on February 20 by the NYPD’s Regional Fugitive Task Force, while Schiliro was arrested in Pinellas County on February 21 by a U.S. Marshals Task Force. Both men now face serious charges, including premeditated first-degree murder and multiple counts related to fraud and abuse of a deceased person's identity.

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