Man’s Dismembered Body Found In Tampa Yard, 2 Arrested: Sheriff

TAMPA, FL — Two men were arrested after the dismembered remains of a 71-year-old man was found in the yard of his Tampa home, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

The investigation, which launched as a missing person case in January, also uncovered ongoing financial fraud, the agency said. Joseph Romano was reported missing Jan. 16.

While investigating, detectives learned that Joseph Schiliro, 45, was trying to retrieve Romano’s mail at the apartment complex where he lived.

They also discovered the financial fraud scheme in which large sums of money were being transferred from the victim’s accounts to fraudulent accounts linked to Schiliro, the sheriff’s office said.

Investigators also learned that Silviano Christman, 31, flew to Tampa from New York on Jan. 3 and was with Schiliro during that time.

After a warrant was issued at Schiliro’s home on Feb. 13, dismembered human remains, later identified as Romano’s, were found in the backyard, HCSO said.

Christman was arrested Feb. 20 by the New York Police Department Regional Fugitive Task Force on the following charges:

• pre-meditated first-degree murder
• conspiracy to commit pre-meditated first-degree murder
• abuse of a dead body
• fraudulent use of personally identifiable information of a deceased person

Schiliro was arrested Feb. 21 in Pinellas County by the U.S. Marshals Task Force and was charged with the following:

• pre-meditated first-degree murder
• conspiracy to commit pre-meditated first-degree murder
• fraudulent use of personally identifiable information of a deceased person
• fraudulent use of personally identifiable information
• burglary with batter
• money laundering
• exploitation of a disabled adult

"The actions of these two men are despicable and deeply disturbing. Through deceit and violence, they exploited and took the life of another individual," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Thanks to the determined efforts of our detectives and law enforcement partners, they are both now behind bars. We remain committed to seeking justice for the victim and his loved ones."