First Arson, Now Murder Charge For St. Pete Man

A man accused of setting fire to his St. Petersburg home is now also facing first-degree murder charges, authorities said Friday.

Daniel Thomas Papaleo, 60, is charged in the beating death of 33-year-old Robert Greaves, whose body was found badly burned Wednesday evening inside Papaleo's home at 1030 13th St. N.

Greaves apparently died before the blaze as a result of multiple blows to the back of the head, investigators said. A hammer was found at the crime scene.

St. Petersburg Police said they believe Greaves was invited to the home by Thomas sometime before the fire Wednesday. Greaves fathered a child with Papaleo's daughter, according to investigators.

According to the arrest affidavit, a witness heard Greaves yelling for help inside Papaleo's residence. When the witness approached the house to investigate, he saw Papaleo standing inside the house breathing heavily and then a few moments later saw flames emanating from the residence.

Investigators said they found an accelerant at the scene of the fire.

Papaleo has been transferred from a local hospital to the medical wing of the Pinellas County Jail with no bond, a St. Petersburg Police spokesperson said.

Related Coverage

• UPDATE: Man Charged With Arson in Deadly St. Pete Fire

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