The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Joseph Schiliro, 45, and Silviano Christman, 31, in connection with the murder and dismemberment of 71-year-old Joseph Romano, who was reported missing in January 2025.
The investigation began on January 16, 2025, when Romano was reported missing. Detectives discovered Schiliro attempting to retrieve Romano’s mail and uncovered a financial fraud scheme involving transfers from Romano’s accounts to fraudulent accounts linked to Schiliro.
Further investigation revealed Christman traveled to Tampa from New York and was with Schiliro during the relevant time period.
On February 13, 2025, a search warrant at Schiliro’s residence led to the discovery of dismembered human remains in the backyard, later identified as Romano.
Christman was arrested in New York on February 20, 2025, and faces charges including pre-meditated first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit pre-meditated first-degree murder, burglary with battery, abuse of a dead body, and fraudulent use of a deceased person’s identifiable information.
Schiliro was arrested in Pinellas County on February 21, 2025, and faces charges including pre-meditated first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit pre-meditated first-degree murder, burglary with battery, fraudulent use of a deceased person’s identifiable information, fraudulent use of personally identifiable information, money laundering, and exploitation of a disabled adult.
“The actions of these two men are despicable and deeply disturbing,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Thanks to the determined efforts of our detectives and law enforcement partners, they are both now behind bars.”
The investigation remains active.
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